Ice Age in Pakistan

After many cases of abuse, torture, violence, and killings under the influence of the deadly drug “Ice”, I was curious to know what the heck this drug is! How does it make people high on clouds? How does one feel after smoking or snorting ICE? What health risks are associated with it?

All these questions provoked me to pen down my research on today’s “ICE AGE” of Pakistan.

Ice is globally popular among drug addicts of all ages!

Ice (Crystal Methamphetamine) is a stimulant drug i.e. it speeds up message traveling between brain and body, in simple words, makes you more alert and attentive.

Types: Ice is available in two forms i.e. Solid chunky crystals like ice and powdered ice (white or brown color)

Taste and smell: bitter with a strong smell.

Pakistan has a rich drug culture starting from the era of Opium and Hashish to openly available synthetic weed, ecstasy pills, and now ICE— we have got it all. Globalization with the sense of “be cool”, “posh” or be “rebellious” is making the situation even worst, Pakistan as always been an adaptable country, has bowed its head, accepting the growing shenanigans of society with the need for ‘acceptance’ as it is part of culture!

Ice-age fact: As we belong to the land of pure with the most impure people, drug addicts of Pakistan get impure ice! when the Meth leaves Iran, it usually weighs about a kilo. But by the time it reaches Peshawar, the weight swells to 12 kilos. This is because manufacturers tend to add chemicals from life-saving and psychiatric medication to enhance the quantity of the drug. Typically Arinac, Ativan, and Morphine are mixed in large quantities with pure Crystal Meth.

How do addicts get high?

The Ice is generally smoked, but it can also be snorted, injected, or swallowed depending upon the level of addiction. As Ice affects everyone differently, some common short term effects are;

• The feeling of pleasure/kicks
• Confidence
• Increased alertness and energy
• Excessive sweating
• Increased heartbeat
• Enlarged pupil and dry mouth etc. while effects last for 12 hrs.

In Pakistan, there are no official statistics about drug abusers but reported cases are high in Punjab and Peshawar.

Poly-drug Abuse

Addicts combine drugs to amplify pleasurable and negative effects, hence poly-drug use multiplies the rewarding effects of drugs which leads to strong addiction.

ICE + SPEED or ECSTASY

ICE and Ecstasy both are stimulants and their combination increases the user’s rush along with the enormous strain on the heart and other body parts, eventually leading to stroke or heart attack.

ICE + ALCOHOL/CANNABIS

ICE is a stimulant while Alcohol/Cannabis are depressants, their combination leads to overdose effects like breathlessness, extreme agitation, confusion, unconsciousness, chest pain, heart attack, or death!

What could be wrong with ice users?

ICE addicts can suffer from hallucinations, paranoia, memory loss, and insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Regular use of the drug with high doses can induce ‘ice psychosis’ with violent behaviors, paranoid delusions, and hallucinations that can last for some days.

• Seizures (fits)
• Heart palpitations
• Breathing difficulties
• Sudden, severe headache
• Uncontrolled jerking
• Being very nervous and confused

Also, an overdose of drug combination is often responsible for unconsciousness, cardiac arrest, or death.

ICE addicts can also develop a few physical problems such as severe weight loss, dental problems, poor sleep, regular colds, stiff muscles, cardiac problems, UTI problems, stroke, or depression.

It is the tip of the Iceberg, deep down more dark drug culture is nurturing!

The new generation is creating the ICE AGE era in Pakistan. ICE will not only broaden the “high-feeling” horizons of addicts but will add new users to stream!