Basuco
'#Basuco' is a highly addictive toxic mix of cocaine residue that is wreaking havoc across the world. More potent than cocaine and at 20 cents a hit, it is considered the cheapest drug in the world.
Health professionals need to take note.
Different variations of basuco exist and are often referred to as bazuco, bazuko, oxi-basuco, coca paste, and paso. Made from the base crude extract of the coca leaf, it contains cocaine sulfate, along with coca alkaloids and other toxic ingredients such as benzoic acid, ethanol, lead, sulfuric acid, ether, chloroform, kerosene, brick dust, volcanic ash, and chalk, which are often used as cutting agents to make it cheaper to produce. In some cases, it has also been known to be mixed with ground human bones. Yes, human bones.
Due to being unrefined, it is by nature more toxic; this is where it derives its name which in Spanish comes from the word trash or dirty trash – ‘basura’ and refers to the residue of paste when cocaine is manufactured. Basuco is typically smoked as a cigarette with tobacco or marijuana or, more commonly, from self-made pipes made of PVC or aluminum foil, therefore the user not only inhales basuco but also the toxic chemicals from the plastic or metal present.
As a stimulant, basuco creates a high that is characterized by increased energy, alertness, talkativeness, sociability, and confidence. It affects the brain by preventing transporters from reabsorbing dopamine, causing the chemical to build up leading to side effects such as a rush of euphoria and activating the reward system, which is similar to a cocaine high. Neurons communicate via neurotransmitters or chemical messengers like dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is a chemical that enables neurons in the brain to communicate and control movement. It can also affect physiological functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Common side effects include:
§ Abdominal pain
§ Anxiety and paranoia
§ Bizarre, erratic, or violent behaviour
§ Bronchitis, chronic cough, or other lung damage
§ Chronic fatigue and lethargy
§ Decreased appetite
§ Digestive problems
§ Euphoria
§ Hallucinations
§ Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch
§ Impaired judgment and risky behaviour
§ Increased alertness and energy
§ Increased heart rate
§ Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
§ Irritability or mood swings
§ Malnutrition
§ Memory problems
§ Muscle twitching
§ Nausea
§ Restlessness
§ Raised blood-pressure
§ Talkative
§ Tremors
It is possible to overdose on basuco.
Little is known about the long-term health consequences of use, but it is believed these may be like cocaine. Research needs to be conducted to determine the long-term side effects from some of the toxic ingredients such as pneumoconiosis and silicosis due to the brick dust and volcanic ash.
A documentary by Vice News sheds light on this drug. https://video.vice.com/en_uk/topic/basuco
#basuco; #drugs; #unodc; #who; #fnha; #iom; #health; #healthcare
'#Basuco' is a highly addictive toxic mix of cocaine residue that is wreaking havoc across the world. More potent than cocaine and at 20 cents a hit, it is considered the cheapest drug in the world.
Health professionals need to take note.
Different variations of basuco exist and are often referred to as bazuco, bazuko, oxi-basuco, coca paste, and paso. Made from the base crude extract of the coca leaf, it contains cocaine sulfate, along with coca alkaloids and other toxic ingredients such as benzoic acid, ethanol, lead, sulfuric acid, ether, chloroform, kerosene, brick dust, volcanic ash, and chalk, which are often used as cutting agents to make it cheaper to produce. In some cases, it has also been known to be mixed with ground human bones. Yes, human bones.
Due to being unrefined, it is by nature more toxic; this is where it derives its name which in Spanish comes from the word trash or dirty trash – ‘basura’ and refers to the residue of paste when cocaine is manufactured. Basuco is typically smoked as a cigarette with tobacco or marijuana or, more commonly, from self-made pipes made of PVC or aluminum foil, therefore the user not only inhales basuco but also the toxic chemicals from the plastic or metal present.
As a stimulant, basuco creates a high that is characterized by increased energy, alertness, talkativeness, sociability, and confidence. It affects the brain by preventing transporters from reabsorbing dopamine, causing the chemical to build up leading to side effects such as a rush of euphoria and activating the reward system, which is similar to a cocaine high. Neurons communicate via neurotransmitters or chemical messengers like dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is a chemical that enables neurons in the brain to communicate and control movement. It can also affect physiological functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Common side effects include:
§ Abdominal pain
§ Anxiety and paranoia
§ Bizarre, erratic, or violent behaviour
§ Bronchitis, chronic cough, or other lung damage
§ Chronic fatigue and lethargy
§ Decreased appetite
§ Digestive problems
§ Euphoria
§ Hallucinations
§ Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch
§ Impaired judgment and risky behaviour
§ Increased alertness and energy
§ Increased heart rate
§ Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
§ Irritability or mood swings
§ Malnutrition
§ Memory problems
§ Muscle twitching
§ Nausea
§ Restlessness
§ Raised blood-pressure
§ Talkative
§ Tremors
It is possible to overdose on basuco.
Little is known about the long-term health consequences of use, but it is believed these may be like cocaine. Research needs to be conducted to determine the long-term side effects from some of the toxic ingredients such as pneumoconiosis and silicosis due to the brick dust and volcanic ash.
A documentary by Vice News sheds light on this drug. https://video.vice.com/en_uk/topic/basuco
#basuco; #drugs; #unodc; #who; #fnha; #iom; #health; #healthcare
