If I have ever told a lie, it is probably that ‘I was never curious about drugs’. The truth is, I was, like many of my age mates, because we wanted to fit in, maybe escape reality or do it out of boredom, to perhaps experience something new, or simply, to be a rebel. Being a youngster comes with all that, some go as far as actually doing it, getting addicted, and even dying from an overdose. A study by Kigali Health Institute found that approximately 52 per cent of the youth in Rwanda have at least taken drugs once, and over 92 per cent kept on consuming them, which implies that approximately 49 per cent of Rwandan youth consume drugs. It states that five per cent have ever tried an illegal substance, mainly cannabis, with nearly three per cent of them becoming dependent on it. Other prevalent illegal ‘drugs’ are illicit brews such as Kanyanga (a highly intoxicating alcoholic beverage), solvents (glue), and local brews prepared from sorghum, sugar, and et cetera—collectively responsible for about one per cent of reported cases of overdose. The findings also point out the relatively high-level use of alcohol (34 per cent) and tobacco (eight per cent) among the youth. And, according to Very Well Mind, alcohol is the world’s most dangerous drug when you consider the harm it does to drinkers, their friends, and families and to society in general. Marijuana is highly addictive and can affect brain development, and lead to cognitive problems. Photos/Net These is probably what has kept me from trying because, like many other people, I am afraid to die. But in case you are not aware of some of these dangerous substances, here are a few examples; Local alcohol brews, for example, Kanyanga: These are dangerous, from their standard of production to their compositions, as there’s usually no way to know the right amount of dosage, the side effects like possible allergic reactions and in most cases, the producers don’t state what they put in exactly. Bath salts: They look like crystalline powder or come in the form of white small crystals like salt, to inhale, swallow, or inject. They don’t have anything to do with bathing, it is just a nickname given to incite confusion. They contain ‘cathinone’, which stimulates dopamine, a brain chemical that creates intense feelings of excitement or happiness. Its side effects are paranoia, chest pains, hallucinations, kidney failure, high blood pressure, panic attack, and others that if intense results in death or developing mental health issues. Heroin: It is usually a black tan sticky substance or sometimes white tan powder, which users inhale, smoke, or inject. It is composed of opioids from opium poppy flowers. Opioids are usually prescribed by doctors for severe headaches or other pains, but when misused it can cause serious problems. According to an article “Substance abuse and addiction” on WebMD, it causes gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, constipation, etc., and can also cause cognitive issues like trouble staying focused, drowsiness, not thinking clearly, and slow reflexes. It can even cause immediate death if taken with alcohol or other drugs. LSD: LSD is made from an acid found in a fungus that grows on Secale cereale (or rye, a grass grown extensively as a grain, a cover crop and a forage crop) or other grains. It is a hallucinogen drug that alters the user’s sense of awareness for their surroundings, thoughts, or feelings. It causes hallucinations, where the user sees, hears, or feels things that are not real. It also causes shakiness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, high blood pressure, and increased heart rate, and dilated pupils, larger than normal. Marijuana: It is a cannabis product and despite cannabis plantations being legally allowed in Rwanda, its consumption out of prescribed medical purposes is illegal. It is also called ‘blunt’, ‘weed’, ‘ganja’, ‘Mary Jane’, and other many names. It is a stimulant (raises levels of physiological or nervous activities), a depressant (reduces functional or nervous activities), and a hallucinogen drug (causes hallucinations). It is highly addictive, can affect brain development, and leads to cognitive problems. Its use results in fatal health issues like depression, heart attacks, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. According to mental health officials, it has been one of the major causes of schizophrenia, a chronic brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel and behave clearly. There are many other drugs and beverages that exist, all of which, we shouldn’t blindly consume. One of the biggest lies told about drugs is that they help a person become more levelheaded (cool), creative, independent, and/or happy. Brittany Burgunder put it well; Recovery is hard. Regret is harder.
