NICKNAMES (STREET
NAMES OF DRUGS)
Nicknames (street names) of drugs come and go. A
name might be popular today and can change tomorrow.
Names may also vary across subcultures and different
provinces or areas. This are some of the few street names
for different drugs in order to confuse unsuspecting
members of the community:
» ALCOHOL has the following street names:
Umqomboti, Hot Stuff, Sauce, Hooch, Moonshine,
Vino, Draft, Sudsliquid Bread, Oats Soda, Tummy
Buster, Liquid Courage, 12 Oz, Spinza, Curl.
» CANABIS has the following street names:
Dagga, Marijuana, Weed, Dope, Pot, Grass, Zol, Skyf,
Hash, Joint, Boom, Ganja.
» HEROIN has the following street names:
H, Mexican mud, brown sugar.
» NYAOPE has the following street names:
Whoonga, Wunga, Ntashe, Mgwinya.
» MANDRAX has the following street names:
White Pipe, Whites, Buttons, MX, Gholfsticks,
Doodies, Lizards, Press Outs, Flowers.
» METHCATHINONE (CAT) has the following street
names:
Chat, Drone, M-Kat, Ghetto Coke, Poorman’s Coke,
Star, Speed, Jeff, Mulka, KAT, Oat, Bushman’s Tea,
Miraa, Tohai, Tschat, Gat, Somali Tea, African Salad,
Qat, Abyssinia Tea, Tohai and Kat.
» CRACK COCAINE has the following street names:
Rocks, Klippe, Crack, Coke, Charlie, C, Snow, Freebase,
Blow, Line, Bump, Yayo,
WHAT IS A DRUG?
A drug is any substance (with exception of food and water)
which, when taken into the body, alters the body’s function
either physically and/or psychologically. Drugs may be
legal (e.g. liquor, glue, caffeine and tobacco) or illegal
(e.g. ecstasy, cocaine, heroin and dagga). Once drugs are
inside your brain, they can change the messages your
brain cells are sending to each other and to the rest of
your body. Drug users may have a feeling that they are
losing control as well as feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
It can lead to panic attacks and extreme risky behaviours
like jumping off high places, running across busy roads,
injury and violence.
WHAT IS AN ADDICT?
Addict is a slang word used to describe a person struggling
with substance abuse or a male or female person whose
life is controlled by drugs.
WHAT IS ADDICTION?
It is a condition, a brain disorder or a physiological
need that results when a person ingest a habit-forming
substance (e.g. heroin and cocaine) or engage in an activity
(e.g. gambling, sex and shopping) that can be pleasurable
but the continuation of which becomes compulsive and
interferes with ordinary responsibilities and concerns such
as leading a normal and productive life.
WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE AND
ITS EFFECTS ON THE USER?
Refers to the habitual taking of illegal or legal drugs/
substances. Drug abuse is a compulsive, excessive and
self-damaging use of habit forming drugs or substances
leading to addiction, dependence or serious physiological
injury.
OTHER PHYSICAL EFFECTS
OF DRUG ADDICTION
INCLUDES:
• Contracting TB/HIV, hepatitis, and other illnesses
(e.g by exchanging contaminated needles and
syringes).
• Heart rate irregularities and heart attack.
• Respiratory problems such as lung cancer,
emphysema and breathing problems
• Abdominal pains, vomiting, constipation and
diarrhoea.
• Damage to the kidneys, liver and heart.
• Psychological harm such as dysfunctional behaviour
patterns, hallucinations seizures, stroke, memory
loss (brain damage) or death.
CRIMES INVOLVING DRUGS:
DRUG POSSESSION
AND DRUG DEALING
• Possession of drugs
Drug possession is the crime which includes keeping,
storing, or to have it in custody or under control of
supervision; (e.g. for personal use).
• Drug Dealing
Includes performing any act in connection with
trans-shipment, importation, cultivation, collection,
manufacture, supply, prescription, administration, sale,
transmission or exportation of the drugs.
WHO IS A DRUG DEALER?
Refers to a person who sells illegal drugs.
CRIMES INVOLVING DRUGS
Drug dealing or drug trafficking involve the selling,
distribution, buying or dealing in illegal drugs and is more
serious offence than possession. This offence also carries
a heavier sentence than possession offence.
WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE
DRUGS?
People take drugs because they want to change something
about their lives.
They want to –
» fit in
» escape or relax
» relieve boredom
» seem grown up
» rebel
» experiment.
WHAT ARE THE
CONSEQUENCES OF DRUGS?
Using drugs will:
• Have a negative impact on your physical and mental
health.
• Lead to social problems and rejection.
• Have a negative effect on your relationships with
family, colleagues, friends and community at large.
• Seriously impair your ability to study or drive.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING
AND AFTER ARREST
• It is a criminal offence to use, possess and deal in
illegal drugs.
• If you are arrested for possession of drugs the police
