Drug variants are increasingly varied and target more young people. One variant of the drug is in the form of candy. This candy drug mode is carried out so that children & adolescents become addicted and dependent on drugs.
According to data from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), as many as 57% of teenagers try to use drugs. This figure is certainly quite high and both institutions consider that adolescents are vulnerable to drug abuse. KPAI Commissioner for Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Jasa Putra, explained that 82.4 percent of children caught in narcotics cases are users. While 47.1 percent act as distributors, and 31.4 percent as couriers.
There are various ways used by drug abuser in distributing drugs & tricking officers, one of which is packaging drugs in the form of candy & targeting teenagers. Currently the goes of narcotics among students is getting worse. Not only teenage students, drugs also target children. Drug trafficking has entered schools and students have become the market for the dealers. This candy drug mode is carried out so that these children & teenagers become addicted and dependent on drugs.
DOUBLE L PILL (TRIHEXYPHENIDYL HCL)
One type of drug that has been around in Kediri City is a type of double L pill with a candy-like packaging. Double L pills or in scientific language is Trihexyphenidyl Hcl is a group that is included in the category of hard drugs which in fact the use of this drug is widely abused.
Picture 1. Double L Pill (source: boombastis(.)com)
Although not classified as narcotics, but if double L is used without a doctor's prescription, it will be dangerous and make the user addicted. There will be a change in the behavior of the user such as;
- Hallucinations
- Decreased concentration levels
- Feelings that often change (emotional labile) so that they can be angry or laugh alone for no apparent reason
If used for a long time, the use of double L also has an impact on brain nerve damage and causes a person's mental disorder.
THC (TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL)
In addition to the double L pill, there are other types of candy drugs. These new drugs, termed NPS (New Psychoactive Substances), were sent directly from the United States via postal services and contain THC (tetra hydrocannabinol).
Picture 2. Candy containing THC (source: detikNews)
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects. THC acts like a cannabinoid chemical that the body makes naturally, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
THC stimulates cells in the brain to release dopamine, creating euphoria. It also interferes with how information is processed in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories. THC can cause hallucinations, alter thinking and cause delusions. On average, the effects last about two hours, and begin within 10 to 30 minutes of ingestion.
Therefore, every community, especially parents, is expected to be more careful and be aware of the existence of this candy drug.
References:
- National Institute Drug Abuse
- National Library of Medicine. 2018. Trihexyphenidyl Misuse in Delusional Disorder
- Badan Narkotika Nasional RI
- LiveScience. 2017. What is THC?
- KOMINFO. 2021. Sebanyak 57 Persen Remaja Coba Pakai Narkoba
