The effects, symptoms and rehabilitation options associated with TIK abuse.

1. Dr David van den Bergh Previously:Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital, CPT 2006 Khayelitsha Site B CHC, CPT 2006 Presently:Private General Practitioner

2. “Tik-Talk” Introduction: TIK is the latest buzzword in drug circles Becoming increasingly popular amongst school children Far more is being done to clamp down on dealing TIK than on any other drug in South Africa (Helen Zille)

3. What is “TIK” and where does the name come from? Methamphetamine Man made stimulant (“designer drugs”) Extremely addictive NB Was marketed as a way of losing weight, making it popular especially under GIRLS Other Names:Crystal / Crystal METH / Straws / Globes / Ice TIK / “TUK-TUK” = Sound when smoked…

4. Forms:Fine powder OR Colourless crystals of various sizes (looks like ice / glass…) Commonly mixed with: Talcum powder Baking powder Starch Sugar Quinine … How is it used:Smoked (MOST Common)… Snorted / Orally / Injection Sold in “straws”: R40 – R80 a straw

5. But is TIK illegal?

6. YES TIK use is illegal

7. What happens to people who use TIK? Immediately / Acute: Extremely pleasurable RUSH / “FLUSH” followed by a HIGH (Euphoria = DOPAMINE) which can last for several hours (depending on the drugs quality and quantity). NB The reason for addiction / abuse. Takes days for the body to recover fully. Jaw clenching Increased / irregular heart rate and blood pressure -> Blood vessel damage -> Strokes Dilated pupils (Big eyes) Elevated body temperature (hyperthermia) Diarrhea / Nausea / Vomiting Extremely active and energetic -> Awake for hours or days / inability to sleep Increased libido (sexual drive) Loss of appetite (seldom get hungry) and go for long periods without food Anxiety / extreme restlessness Unpleasant sensations (Needles / Insects crawling under the skin = fornication) Shaking / Tremors / Jitteriness Convulsions / Fits

8. What happens to people who use TIK? When it wears off: LOW Exhaustion Depression NB Many people use sleeping tablets / mandrax / dagga to help come down from the high… to sleep ->

9. What happens to people who use TIK? Later / Chronically: OD (Poisonous additives, the user never knowing exactly what he / she is using) Tolerance… Out of Control Rages / Violence / Anxiety / Confusion / Mood disturbances / Insomnia Coma Stroke Death Psychosis = Hallucinations = seeing / hearing things that are not there = Paranoid delusions = examples… = Violence (reasons = paranoia… money to get more… homicide / suicide) = Flight of ideas (jumping from one topic to the next)

11. NB This is the reason for psychiatric treatment and hospital admission (ex Lentegeur). Because it was difficult to counsel psychotic patients, their psychosis must be dealt with before they could begin rehabilitation. NB People unable to afford private treatment face a scarcity of available facilities that can treat psychotic patients. Average cost of R25000 for 3 weeks in private hospitals… NB Prolonged use not only changes behaviors, but literally changes the brain in fundamental and long lasting ways (permanent brain damage) NB Anyone given enough TIK will eventually become psychotic NB Increased risk of of HIV / STDs… promiscuous sex without protection because of lack of inhibition

12. How do we test for TIK use? Urine testing within 4 days of using Logic = MONDAYS…

13. How do we treat TIK addiction? NB No substitute drug and detox not possible Treat Symptomatically (Elevated Body Temp / Fits…

14. Why such a huge response? Manufactured at home… easy Highly addictive. Over 6 months of use 95 % of those who use are addicted. Neurotoxic / causes definite brain damage

15. Statistics from the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (CTDCC):

16. Attractive to very young first-time users with the greatest increase in users to be < 20 years old. Some even as young as 10. Crescent Clinic’s Chemical Dependency Unit is treating children as young as 13. Range of drug users from 10 to 54. The largest age group with TIK as their primary drug of choice: 15 – 19 >20 – 24 > 25 – 29 > 10 – 14

17. Statistics from the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (CTDCC):

18. Look out for these warning signs with friends / Is someone you know in trouble? Dilated pupils Jaw clenching Rapid speech Anxiety Aggression Loss of appetite and weight loss Insomnia Hearing voices / Seeing things that aren’t there Paranoia More… glass straws, bulbs…

19. Interesting Fact : FERGIE Black Eyed Peas She admits in the new issue of Time Magazine, feeling high in the past meant using crystal meth. "It was the hardest boyfriend I ever had to break up with“.

20. Don’t use TIK! Dr David van den Bergh