Those who take recreational drugs in Australia have noticed a considerable shift – in choice of drug and quality.
Marijuana
Marijuana was here before we came and will be here long after we’ve gone, though smoking is out of fashion now and this has definitely impacted on both use and acceptance. Furthermore, the fact that we can’t smoke inside clubs, and therefore can’t smoke weed inside, has had an impact. Nonetheless, weed is still around, still good quality and will always draw a loyal crowd.
Brushing that to the side, we then deal with the others: LSD, GHB, Speed, Ecstasy, Cocaine and Heroin. Sure, there are others in the mix, but none really reached a mainstream level and it seems that most people don’t care whether they come across it again or not.
GHB
It’s found popularity, but it’s a high maintenance drug where missing the range of effectiveness results in either no effect or hospitalization. The sheer fact that you can’t mix it with alcohol ensures that GHB will find little traction in Australia, especially the club scene. It seems to only suit those who don’t drink and the effects don’t always look appealing to the outside observer.
LSD
It’s around, but only around younger people who are into the heavy alternative music styles. The quality is mixed and a lot of experimental funky tripping chemicals (non-LSD) are being discovered in a lot of purchases. Again, it will continue to be around, but a lot of people find the effects of good LSD too heavy and runs for too long so it will be limited to the purists in the future.
Speed
Speed has become a big ‘in’ drug again, which is very disappointing. After all, aside from being jittering, talkative, sober-feeling and awake, it doesn’t seem to do anything that “feels” positive. But as good ecstasy has virtually disappeared, clubbers still want to stay awake and sober, and have unfortunately turned to both speed and meth (ice). It’s easy to make, it’s easy to obtain, it’s easy to sell and it’s a good mark up. The problem is that this drug can bring out the worst in people. Behaviour and rationality go out the window and it is little surprise that there has been an explosion of violence around inner city clubs in the last few years. It will always be around and served well in the days of good MDMA, where you could combine and enjoy longer and more exciting happiness, but by itself, it’s not very exciting. Ice is just downright nasty and changes everyone who uses it for the worse.
The key to defeating the speed culture and reducing late night violence and a more open, happy, relaxing and fun night environment relies on MDMA making a comeback.
Ecstasy
Anyone who has been taking ecstasy for more than 2-3 years all say the same thing – “a few years back, they were really good and strong, but now they are terrible.” Well this is not quite accurate. A better way of phrasing it would be “a few years back they contained MDxx, now they don’t!”
Today, “pills” rarely contain MDMA, MDA or MDEA. The most common content is DXM and BZP (piperazine) which really doesn’t substitute. Often, people taking pills these days reports an unpleasant nausea followed by a feeling of being very drunk and off centre. General discomfort often sets in shortly after, due to sweat glands working poorly on these chemicals in the heat of nightclubs. Most of all, these pills battle to keep people awake and rarely put the user in a ‘good place’ mentally.
So what happened to MDMA? Why are there no MDMA pills around anymore? Well it’s a combination of three things:
1) Underworld wars in Melbourne, pre 2005. Anyone who was partying in 2003 recalls that the pills were strong, easy to get and rarely ‘bad stuff.’ The supply chain consisted of corrupt drug squad detectives, well organised criminals and a fairly cash rich purchasing base. The underworld wars so most of the big players either dead or in jail, a great deal of crooked drug squad cops were busted and the purchasing base became more in debt. The bikies were hit by a crackdown on association and manufacturing slowed as a result. Nonetheless, a few players filled in the gap in the market and focused most of their efforts on imports.
2) A worldwide shortage of safrole – the precursor chemical to MDMA. Believe it or not, the world can thank Australia for that one. In June 2008, the Australian Federal Police in a joint effect with Cambodian authorities, burnt off 33 tonnes of safrole. It is estimated that this was enough to produce 300 million pills. Further, they cracked down in Cambodia on safrole distilling labs that were producing around 300 litres a day. This disruption to supply was monumental as Cambodia is virtually the main source for safrole in the world and the effects were felt in deeply in Europe and America, especially the UK and Amsterdam.
3) Police crackdown: .In mid 2008, police seized $440 million dollars worth of ecstasy (a world record at that time) and in the process, they knocked out the last strong supply network left in the aftermath of the underworld wars. Now it’s been reduced to smaller players, making bad pills with any chemical they can get their hands on, taking risks, unable to buy-off police or otherwise downright dodgy. Furthermore, there are policies in the drugs squad now that limit the potential for corruption by using forced rotation of the members. The crackdown on street level dealers in clubs and rave events has also had its impact.
So where to from here?
Well drugs often have a way of making a comeback. There is a gap in the market and one can only hope that this fantastic drug will return. Rarely is there a drug that makes people happy, keeps people sober minded and results in no violence. Furthermore, it’s incredibly safe. I’ll never forget the turn of the millennium new years eve in the city. The police braced for arrests, violence and people requiring hospitalization. In the end, there were virtually zero problems. I believe 18 or so were arrested for simple “public drunkness” and one of the senior police officers put it down to many people being on ecstasy and being happy, rather than belligerent.
The signs around the world are good. In the US, it seems to be becoming popular again and more readily available. In Amsterdam, there are reports of some good pills around again. The burn off in Cambodia, might have caused a pause, but if there’s millions to be made, people will fill in the gap and production has undoubtedly started again. However, whether this will translate to improvements in the Australian market is another thing. But again, there’s a big gaping market there to fill and it’s hard to imagine no one coming in and making millions in the near future.
Cocaine
Recent reports suggest that cocaine use has doubled in recent years. That’s probably true – a lot more people are using and there is a lot more of it around. Just recently (October 2010) there were two large importation busts and it’s fair to say that this will have massive implications for supply throughout the end of 2010. While this is irritating for the average user, it doesn’t bother me at all. Cocaine is fun for a celebration, but using it weekend after weekend is questionable and the cost, as well as the ‘bang for buck’ factor, are big big negatives.
Ultimately, though, it has found a big customer base resulting from higher incomes, a lack of ‘hangover/comedown’, it’s status and a lack of good ecstasy. It’s a shame to see ecstasy users switching to coke left right and centre, but the cost will eventually take its toll.
Coke is very addictive and will be around forever and the quality now is much better than, let’s say, 3-5 years ago. Whether it has popular longevity in society, due to its cost, remains to be seen. If there is one thing that made ecstasy so great, it was the bang for buck factor. A good $[price removed] pill in 2003 was enough for the night, whereas, $[price removed] worth of coke is enough for a pretty good night out. There is a theory that poor quality ecstasy has resulted from influence from international cocaine networks.
Unfortunately, coke, like speed, gives a false confidence and can promote aggressiveness. Again, a contributing factor to the rise of violence in the city.
Are the police winning?
They have certainly struck major blows. But there is one thing that drug policy makers will never understand. They believe that the ultimate society is one were we go out on the weekend, do not take drugs, do not smoke and enjoy 2-3 beers while remaining totally happy, positive and friendly. That’s just unrealistic as there will always be abusers and if you crack down on one drug, another pops up in popularity in its place. The days of good ecstasy and LSD were wonderful and society had few problems with users. Now we are in a period where cocaine and speed is popular and all the negatives it brings with it – especially from users themselves. Hopefully the gap in the market for E will be filled again… and soon!
The only strange thing is recent discussion about legalising drugs. While I support such a move, I do not understand why this is being discussed now while the drugs are becoming generally poorer in quality and harder to find. It's usually a debate that happens when police feel like they can't "win." With their recent victories, it seems odd that they are considering defeatest option.
Marijuana
Marijuana was here before we came and will be here long after we’ve gone, though smoking is out of fashion now and this has definitely impacted on both use and acceptance. Furthermore, the fact that we can’t smoke inside clubs, and therefore can’t smoke weed inside, has had an impact. Nonetheless, weed is still around, still good quality and will always draw a loyal crowd.
Brushing that to the side, we then deal with the others: LSD, GHB, Speed, Ecstasy, Cocaine and Heroin. Sure, there are others in the mix, but none really reached a mainstream level and it seems that most people don’t care whether they come across it again or not.
GHB
It’s found popularity, but it’s a high maintenance drug where missing the range of effectiveness results in either no effect or hospitalization. The sheer fact that you can’t mix it with alcohol ensures that GHB will find little traction in Australia, especially the club scene. It seems to only suit those who don’t drink and the effects don’t always look appealing to the outside observer.
LSD
It’s around, but only around younger people who are into the heavy alternative music styles. The quality is mixed and a lot of experimental funky tripping chemicals (non-LSD) are being discovered in a lot of purchases. Again, it will continue to be around, but a lot of people find the effects of good LSD too heavy and runs for too long so it will be limited to the purists in the future.
Speed
Speed has become a big ‘in’ drug again, which is very disappointing. After all, aside from being jittering, talkative, sober-feeling and awake, it doesn’t seem to do anything that “feels” positive. But as good ecstasy has virtually disappeared, clubbers still want to stay awake and sober, and have unfortunately turned to both speed and meth (ice). It’s easy to make, it’s easy to obtain, it’s easy to sell and it’s a good mark up. The problem is that this drug can bring out the worst in people. Behaviour and rationality go out the window and it is little surprise that there has been an explosion of violence around inner city clubs in the last few years. It will always be around and served well in the days of good MDMA, where you could combine and enjoy longer and more exciting happiness, but by itself, it’s not very exciting. Ice is just downright nasty and changes everyone who uses it for the worse.
The key to defeating the speed culture and reducing late night violence and a more open, happy, relaxing and fun night environment relies on MDMA making a comeback.
Ecstasy
Anyone who has been taking ecstasy for more than 2-3 years all say the same thing – “a few years back, they were really good and strong, but now they are terrible.” Well this is not quite accurate. A better way of phrasing it would be “a few years back they contained MDxx, now they don’t!”
Today, “pills” rarely contain MDMA, MDA or MDEA. The most common content is DXM and BZP (piperazine) which really doesn’t substitute. Often, people taking pills these days reports an unpleasant nausea followed by a feeling of being very drunk and off centre. General discomfort often sets in shortly after, due to sweat glands working poorly on these chemicals in the heat of nightclubs. Most of all, these pills battle to keep people awake and rarely put the user in a ‘good place’ mentally.
So what happened to MDMA? Why are there no MDMA pills around anymore? Well it’s a combination of three things:
1) Underworld wars in Melbourne, pre 2005. Anyone who was partying in 2003 recalls that the pills were strong, easy to get and rarely ‘bad stuff.’ The supply chain consisted of corrupt drug squad detectives, well organised criminals and a fairly cash rich purchasing base. The underworld wars so most of the big players either dead or in jail, a great deal of crooked drug squad cops were busted and the purchasing base became more in debt. The bikies were hit by a crackdown on association and manufacturing slowed as a result. Nonetheless, a few players filled in the gap in the market and focused most of their efforts on imports.
2) A worldwide shortage of safrole – the precursor chemical to MDMA. Believe it or not, the world can thank Australia for that one. In June 2008, the Australian Federal Police in a joint effect with Cambodian authorities, burnt off 33 tonnes of safrole. It is estimated that this was enough to produce 300 million pills. Further, they cracked down in Cambodia on safrole distilling labs that were producing around 300 litres a day. This disruption to supply was monumental as Cambodia is virtually the main source for safrole in the world and the effects were felt in deeply in Europe and America, especially the UK and Amsterdam.
3) Police crackdown: .In mid 2008, police seized $440 million dollars worth of ecstasy (a world record at that time) and in the process, they knocked out the last strong supply network left in the aftermath of the underworld wars. Now it’s been reduced to smaller players, making bad pills with any chemical they can get their hands on, taking risks, unable to buy-off police or otherwise downright dodgy. Furthermore, there are policies in the drugs squad now that limit the potential for corruption by using forced rotation of the members. The crackdown on street level dealers in clubs and rave events has also had its impact.
So where to from here?
Well drugs often have a way of making a comeback. There is a gap in the market and one can only hope that this fantastic drug will return. Rarely is there a drug that makes people happy, keeps people sober minded and results in no violence. Furthermore, it’s incredibly safe. I’ll never forget the turn of the millennium new years eve in the city. The police braced for arrests, violence and people requiring hospitalization. In the end, there were virtually zero problems. I believe 18 or so were arrested for simple “public drunkness” and one of the senior police officers put it down to many people being on ecstasy and being happy, rather than belligerent.
The signs around the world are good. In the US, it seems to be becoming popular again and more readily available. In Amsterdam, there are reports of some good pills around again. The burn off in Cambodia, might have caused a pause, but if there’s millions to be made, people will fill in the gap and production has undoubtedly started again. However, whether this will translate to improvements in the Australian market is another thing. But again, there’s a big gaping market there to fill and it’s hard to imagine no one coming in and making millions in the near future.
Cocaine
Recent reports suggest that cocaine use has doubled in recent years. That’s probably true – a lot more people are using and there is a lot more of it around. Just recently (October 2010) there were two large importation busts and it’s fair to say that this will have massive implications for supply throughout the end of 2010. While this is irritating for the average user, it doesn’t bother me at all. Cocaine is fun for a celebration, but using it weekend after weekend is questionable and the cost, as well as the ‘bang for buck’ factor, are big big negatives.
Ultimately, though, it has found a big customer base resulting from higher incomes, a lack of ‘hangover/comedown’, it’s status and a lack of good ecstasy. It’s a shame to see ecstasy users switching to coke left right and centre, but the cost will eventually take its toll.
Coke is very addictive and will be around forever and the quality now is much better than, let’s say, 3-5 years ago. Whether it has popular longevity in society, due to its cost, remains to be seen. If there is one thing that made ecstasy so great, it was the bang for buck factor. A good $[price removed] pill in 2003 was enough for the night, whereas, $[price removed] worth of coke is enough for a pretty good night out. There is a theory that poor quality ecstasy has resulted from influence from international cocaine networks.
Unfortunately, coke, like speed, gives a false confidence and can promote aggressiveness. Again, a contributing factor to the rise of violence in the city.
Are the police winning?
They have certainly struck major blows. But there is one thing that drug policy makers will never understand. They believe that the ultimate society is one were we go out on the weekend, do not take drugs, do not smoke and enjoy 2-3 beers while remaining totally happy, positive and friendly. That’s just unrealistic as there will always be abusers and if you crack down on one drug, another pops up in popularity in its place. The days of good ecstasy and LSD were wonderful and society had few problems with users. Now we are in a period where cocaine and speed is popular and all the negatives it brings with it – especially from users themselves. Hopefully the gap in the market for E will be filled again… and soon!
The only strange thing is recent discussion about legalising drugs. While I support such a move, I do not understand why this is being discussed now while the drugs are becoming generally poorer in quality and harder to find. It's usually a debate that happens when police feel like they can't "win." With their recent victories, it seems odd that they are considering defeatest option.
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. by any chance u irish haha.
