The designer drug Monkey Dust is gaining popularity in our country. The East Flanders public prosecutor’s office has also warned against drugs after a 28-year-old woman, suffering from severe spasms, found herself in intensive care under the influence of drugs at the end of April. Also, a two-year-old child tested positive for hard drugs after police intervention. ” Yes, you can overdose and die”, explains toxicologist Jan Tytgat (KU Leuven). “It is indeed dangerous, just like ecstasy and speed. Cardiovascular problems, arrhythmias, cardiac arrests, spasms… “
Monkey Dust, also known as “Bath Salt”, is a synthetic stimulant drug that belongs to the cathinones.It is a variant of amphetamine derived from a substance found in the East African Khat plant, the leaves of which are chewed by local nomads for their psychoactive effect”, describes the toxicologist.
The chemical substance belongs to the same family as Flakka, the so-called “zombie drug”, which is increasingly present in Belgium as well. “It is a designer drug, therefore an entirely man-made synthetic drug, also known as MDPHP.” Its first two letters “MD” are the same as those of ecstasy (MDMA). “This drug comes in the form of a white, off-white powder. It can be consumed in powder, pills, via injection or sniff”, continues Jan Tytgat. It is sold in a plastic zipper bag, but is also available in a pacson or powder in a cigarette leaf.
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“It is very satisfying, euphoric, it gives a feeling of invincibility.”
Monkey Dust causes effects similar to those of ecstasy. It causes mild hallucinations and has a stimulating effect. After ingestion, a user may become aggressive and experience spasms.
It is growing in popularity for three reasons: “Its easy accessibility via the black market, its low cost, it is even cheaper than Flakka, and for the effects of the desired intoxication. It is very satisfying, euphoric, it provides a feeling of invincibility, whereas with Flaka, there are sometimes unexpected effects.”, exclaims the toxicologist. “These characteristics lead to frequent consumption and therefore addiction. A fortiori, when it is injected. “
According to Jan Tytgat, the big danger lies when you sniff or inject Monkey Dust. “For example, if you burn these crystals in a spoon, it becomes particularly dangerous in terms of physical dependence. And this has everything to do with the concentration in the blood, which is therefore much higher than that obtained orally. “Nowadays, unfortunately, designer drugs are very easy to obtain via the Internet. They are often produced in China and India and are delivered to your home in just a few clicks by a parcel service,” specifies the toxicologist. Additionally, designer drugs sometimes cost less than ecstasy or speed.”
In 2017, Belgium made an entire group of amphetamines illegal in one fell swoop, including this one, thanks to a royal decree. But this is not the case everywhere, in some countries the product is still legal.
