Buprenorphine
Also known as: Subutex, tec, su su
Description:Subutex comes in 2 mg and 8 mg pills, derivative closely related to Morphine.
Subutex is taken sublingually i.e. place under the tongue until it dissolves. However, abusers mix it with other prescription drugs and inject it for a greater 'high'.
Effects and Dangers
Sedation
Light-headedness
Dizziness
Nausea
Constipation
Vomiting
Withdrawal Symptoms
Delirium tremens, clouding of consciousness and severe tremors or seizures
Anxiety, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
Abdominal cramps, muscle and joint pains
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Medical complications arising from intravenous abuse of Subutex especially when mixed with other prescription drugs:
Clogging of veins leading to gangrene.
Breathing problems (respiratory depression) which can lead to death.
The sharing of needles can also cause the spread of Hepatitis B and C and the HIV virus if the needles are contaminated.
Penalties
Possession or consumption of Buprenorphine:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic of Buprenorphine:
Up to 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane
Illegal import or export of Buprenorphine:
Up to 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane for the unauthorised manufacture of Buprenorphine
Cannabis
Also known as:Marijuana, Pot, Grass, Joints, Ganja, Hashish
Description: Compressed into blocks resembling dried herbs or tea. Cannabis causes a person’s mind to become addicted. Cannabis abusers are likely to move on to stronger and deadlier drugs.
Effects and Dangers
Inability to concentrate
Slow reaction
Distorted thinking and perception
Poor balance and co-ordination
Extreme anxiety, depression, confusion and paranoia (irrational fear or suspicion)
Decline in motivation and drive in long-term users
Withdrawal Symptoms
Moodiness, irritability, anxiety and tension
Penalties
Possession or consumption of Cannabis:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic, import or export of:
Cannabis of more than 500 grams > DEATH
Cannabis resin of more than 200 grams > DEATH
Cannabis mixture of more than 1,000 grams > DEATH
Cocaine
Also known as :Crack, Coke and Snow.
Description :In its pure form, Cocaine is a white crystalline powder and it is either sniffed in powder form or injected into the body in liquid form. Cocaine is both a central nervous system stimulant and an anaesthetic.
Effects and Dangers
Increased heart rate
Aggressive behaviour
Irritability
Nausea, shaking, blurred vision and hallucination
Withdrawal Symptoms
Anxiety, depression, anger and jittery feelings
Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of desire to do things
Penalties
Possession or consumption of Cocaine:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic, import or export of Cocaine of more than 30 grams:
DEATH
Ecstasy
Description :'Ecstasy' refers to tablets containing MDMA, MDEA and MDA. These tablets come in different colours with different logos stamped on them. People take them to enable them to dance all night and sometimes they die from exhaustion and dehydration.
Effects and Dangers
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Jaw clenching, teeth grinding and uncontrollable shaking
Kidney, liver and brain damage
Long term memory loss
Chills, sweating and vomiting
Inability to think, see and co-ordinate properly
Hallucinations
Withdrawal Symptoms
Anxiety, depression and uncontrollable fear
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Loss of control of senses and reality
Penalties
Possession or consumption of ‘Ecstasy’:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic of ‘Ecstasy’:
Up to 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane
Illegal import or export of 'Ecstasy':
Up to 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane
Heroin
Also known as :White, Smack, Junk, Powder, Putih, Medicine, Ubat
Description :Heroin is a powerful and very addictive drug that comes in granular, powder or solution form. Heroin No. 4 is white in colour while Heroin No. 3 is more yellowish.
"Chasing the Dragon", a common method of abuse used by Heroin abusers here, involves heating the Heroin powder and sniffing the fumes through a rolled note.
Effects and Dangers
Lowered heart rate and respiration
Damage to lungs, kidneys and liver
Dull feeling and tiredness
Difficulty in concentrating
Constipation
Withdrawal Symptoms
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Watery eyes and runny nose
Irritable and jittery feelings
Tremors and bodily cramps
Chills and sweating
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Penalties
Possession or consumption of Heroin
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic, import or export of Heroin of more than 15 grams’:
DEATH
Ketamine
Also known as :K, Special K, Vitamin K, Kit Kat.
Description :Ketamine is an anaesthetic for veterinary as well as human use. The drug takes the form of a white crystalline powder, liquid or tablet. The effects of Ketamine last an hour or less but the drug can affect the senses, judgement and co-ordination for 18 to 24 hours.
Effects and Dangers
Inability to move
Distorted judgement, perception, hearing, sight, touch, smell and taste
Confusion and hallucinations
Problems associated with the nose (nose bleeding, inability to smell properly)
Gastric pains
Urinary and bladder problems (difficulty in urinating, urinary tract infection)
Withdrawal Symptoms
Depression, anger and irritability
Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Penalties
Possession or consumption of Ketamine:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic of Ketamine:
Up to 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane
Illegal import or export of Ketamine:
Up to 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane
Lysergide (LSD)
Also known as:Acid, Trips, Blotters, Tabs, Stamp, Black Sesame, Seed, Micro, Micro Dot.
Description:Lysergide (LSD) is a hallucinogen. It is often sold on blotting paper, which is usually imprinted with a colourful cartoon or design. Although abusers generally take it orally, the tabs of blotting paper are also placed on skin areas that readily absorb the drug into the bloodstream, for example, under the eyelid. When ingested, LSD takes effect within 30 minutes. Its effects are strongest after 3 to 5 hours and can last up to 12 hours.
Effects and Dangers
Increased heart rate, breathing and body temperature
Numbness
Distorted sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste
Loss of control of thoughts
Severe panic, paranoia, confusion and hallucinations
Penalties
Possession or consumption of LSD:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic of LSD:
Up to 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane
Illegal import or export of LSD:
Up to 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane
Methamphetamine
Also known as :'Ice', Glass, Crystal, Speed, 'Ya ba'.
Description :Methamphetamine usually comes in crystallised form. It is more commonly known as 'Ice' in Singapore. It is a strong stimulant, which is odourless and colourless. Methamphetamine also are commonly known as: 'Ya ba' in tablet form, tablets found are embossed with the 'WY' logo and are green or orange in colour. Methamphetamine has a very strong effect on the central nervous system and is highly addictive.
Effects and Dangers
Increased heart rate and body temperature
Fits, stroke and death
Damage to heart and nerves
Liver and kidney diseases
Abnormal behaviour with mood swings, confusion, delusion and hallucination
Anxiety and irritability
Withdrawal Symptoms
Extreme tiredness and hunger
Anxiety, depression and irritability
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Penalties
Possession or consumption of Methamphetamine:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic, import or export of Methamphetamine of more than 250 grams:
DEATH
Nimetazepam
Also known as :'Erimin-5'.
Description :'Erimin-5' is a type of depressant taken orally by the user in tablet form. Depressants are drugs which help a person to calm down and sleep.
Effects and Dangers
Loss of consciousness
Distorted judgement, sight and thinking
Difficulty in speaking, moving and co-ordinating bodily functions
Poor memory and concentration
Withdrawal Symptoms
Anxiety and jittery feelings
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Nausea, vomiting, quickened heart beat, excessive sweating, violent shaking and stomach cramps
Mental confusion
Fits
Penalties
Possession or consumption of Nimetazepam:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment or S$20,000 fine or BOTH
Illegal traffic of Nimetazepam:
Up to 10 years of imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane
Illegal import or export of Nimetazepam:
Up to 20 years of imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane
BZP and TFMPP
listed as Class A controlled drugs in the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act on 15 November 2010.
Also known as :BZP, TFMPP, 'Party Pills'
Description : Both are stimulants of the central nervous system and are known to produce stimulant and hallucinatory effects similar to MDMA, commonly known as 'Ecstasy'.
Both BZP and TFMPP are known to be distributed as tablets resembling 'Ecstasy'.
Effects and Dangers
Seizures
Vomiting
Heavy Sweating
Hyperthermia (increased temperature of the body)
Tachycardia (increased number of heart beats)
Agitation
Penalties
Possession or consumption of Mephedrone:
Up to 10 years' imprisonment or $20,000 fine or both
Illegal traffic of Mephedrone:
Up to 20 years' imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane
Illegal import or export of Mephedrone:
Up to 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane
Mephedrone
listed as Class A controlled drugs in the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act on 15 November 2010
Also known as :Mephedrone, Bubbles, mcat, Snow and Meow.
Description :Mephedrone is a stimulant drug derived from cathinone, which is a Class A controlled drug. Mephedrone is marketed as a substitute to 'Ecstasy' and amphetamines.
Effects and Dangers
Dizziness
Nausea
Chills
Bruxism
Insomnia
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Penalties
Possession
Up to 10 years' imprisonment or $20,000 fine or both
Illegal traffic
Up to 20 years' imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane
Illegal import or export
Up to 30 years of imprisonment or imprisonment for life and 15 strokes of the cane
Inhalants
Also known as :Glue-Sniffing, Solvent Abuse, Solvent Inhalation, Solvent Sniffing
Description :Some substances, such as glue and paint thinner, give off vapours and fumes. The sniffing of such vapours or fumes is known as inhalant abuse.
If you are an inhalant abuser, normal activities like running and shouting can cause death by heart failure. An inhalant abuser may die from suffocation anytime. This is known as Sudden Sniffing Death. It can happen on the very first time or any other time the abuser sniffs glue.
Effects and Dangers
Permanent damage to brain, liver and kidneys
Prone to bleeding and bruises
Memory loss
Difficulty in learning and seeing things clearly
Loss of control of body
Cramps, pains and bad cough
Withdrawal Symptoms
Anxiety, depression and irritability
Aggressive behaviour
Dizziness, shaking and nausea
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Penalties
Abuse of intoxicating substances:
Admission to an approved centre for treatment and rehabilitation for up to 6 months, or up to 6 months of imprisonment or S$2,000 fine or BOTH
Selling or offering to sell an intoxicating substance when it is suspected that the substance is for the purpose of intoxication:
Up to 2 years of imprisonment or S$5,000 fine or BOTH
Opium
STREET NAMES: Black stuff, chandu
EFFECTS
Withdrawal symptoms: aches, spasms, stomach cramps and convulsions, shaking and vomiting, runny nose, watery eyes
PENALTIES
Illegal traffic, import or export of more than 1,200 grams and containing more than 30 grams of morphine:
DEATH
POSSESSION AND CONSUMPTION :
Up to S$20,000 fine or 10 years' imprisonment or BOTH
Morphine
STREET NAMES: M, white stuff, white powder
EFFECTS
Withdrawal symptoms: aches, spasms, stomach cramps and convulsions, shaking and vomiting, runny nose, watery eyes
PENALTIES
Illegal traffic, import or export of more than 30 grams:
DEATH
POSSESSION AND CONSUMPTION:
Up to S$20,000 fine or 10 years' imprisonment or BOTH
Depressants
STREET NAMES: Upjohn, erimin
EFFECTS
Withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, increased heart rate, distorted eyesight, convulsions, insomnia PENALTIES
Illegal traffic:
Up to 10 years' imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane
Illegal import or export:
Up to 20 years' imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane POSSESSION AND CONSUMPTION:
Up to S$20,000 fine or 10 years' imprisonment or BOTH
Penalties
Long-Term Imprisonment 1 (LT1)
- Min: 5 years' imprisonment and 3 strokes of the cane
- Max: 7 years' imprisonment and 6 strokes of the cane
Long-Term Imprisonment 2 (LT2)
- Min: 7 years' imprisonment and 6 strokes of the cane
- Max: 13 years' imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane
NB: Those who have been through LT1 once will serve LT2 for any subsequent offence or opiate consumption or failure to provide a urine sample upon request.
