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Facts of Drug Paraphernalia. By: Theo Robich. Drug Paraphernalia.
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Facts of Drug Paraphernalia By: Theo Robich
Drug Paraphernalia Paraphernalia may refer to vessels, tools, objects or equipment directly involved in the ingestion of a substance. It may also refer to other articles and items indirectly related to the act of drug taking, such as containers for storage, and objects to enhance the drug experience
Sales of Paraphernalia • Drug paraphernalia is often marketed specifically to youth. • The items are meant to look harmless and belittle the dangers of taking controlled substances. • Paraphernalia is sold in “head shops” across America.
Legality of Paraphernalia • Under the Federal Drug Paraphernalia Statute, which is part of the Controlled Substances Act, it is illegal to possess, sell, transport, import, or export drug paraphernalia as defined.
History of Drug Paraphernalia • Dates back to at least 1200 BC • Drinking vessels and pipes believed to be first types of paraphernalia. • Most of the paraphernalia used in modern drug taking stems from ancient societies.
Tools of the Trade • Drink Vessels • Snuffing Accessories • Chewing • Pipes/smoking utensils • The Hypodermic Syringe • Inhaling • Oral Administration
Drink Vessels • Drinking vessels and other containers for liquid preparations of psychoactive substances are a type of paraphernalia that almost every culture has employed at some point in time. • These are common containers for coffee, alcohol and tea.
Sniffing Accessories • The basic paraphernalia used in sniffing consist of a surface, upon which the substance is prepared, and a tube for administration. • Mirrors or a non-porous surface commonly used for sniffing surface.
Pipes/Smoking Utensils • Pipes have never functioned as pieces of technology to administer a drug. • Rather it is a symbolic component of the drug taking behavior. • Pipes for smoking cannabis products have been designed in a number of shapes and sizes. • Even water pipes and ones with multiple mouth-pieces for more than one user have been made.
The Hypodermic Syringe • Allows the intravenous administration of drugs. • Quicker reaction time of drug • The perfection of the hypodermic syringe marked the beginning of a technological revolution in drug taking paraphernalia. • This led to the rise in “drug addicts” because of the “rush” type buzz induced. • The shorter but stronger buzz left people wanting more.
Microneedles • "Microneedles" much thinner than the diameter of a human hair could be the basis for a new drug delivery technique able to administer small quantities of high-potency medications through the skin without causing pain. • In the picture to the right, there are over 400 microneedles on that one sheet alone. • This could be used to administer drugs through time release, with the use of a micro-processor based system. • These are still being researched but could prove as helpful as the hypodermic syringe. • Once introduced into the medical world, like the hypodermic syringe, could hit the streets as a new administration method of drugs.
Drug type Marijuana Cocaine Hallucinogens Heroin/Opiates Associated Paraphernalia Pipes, bongs, blunts, rolling papers, bowls Straws, razor, mirrors Black light, movies, posters Syringes, straws, spoons, rubber tie Drugs and their Paraphernalia* *Things such as scales, baggies and other measuring devices are often linked to all types of drugs as a method of distribution.
Responses to Paraphernalia • It was first thought that paraphernalia was the cause for the increase of drug use in America. • In fact, the growth in the paraphernalia business followed the increased interest in and use of drugs. • Now, Clothing, furniture and all kinds of accessories became paraphernalia because they went along with a certain image or lifestyle. • Anything that the police can link to a certain lifestyle, they can call it some form of paraphernalia.
Resources • Montagne, Michael, PhD. Journal of Psycoactive Drugs. Vol. 15 (3) Jul-Sep 1983 pp159-174 • http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/paraphernaliafact.html • http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/greece/kapeleion.htm • http://www.entheology.org/edoto/anmviewer.asp?a=103&z=6 • http://www.smokingwizzard.com/home.html • http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs/ 648/laretail.htm