[Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/opioid-drugs-7-q2-what-current-state-op... ]
Hi all,
It's been a while I've been active on the field in Nigeria, However, on different visits to few urban and peri-urban communities, I saw some youths, standing still, or bend over like an effigy. When I made enquiries, I was told they are high on "Colos" (short for Colorado) that is a dangerous, highly addictive synthetic drug, often in the form of a combination cocktail, that has become a major public health concern among young people in Nigeria. It is frequently misidentified as a form of marijuana but is actually a dangerous mixture of illegal drugs, chemical compounds, and synthetic cannabinoids designed to mimic and far exceed the effects of cannabis.
Cocktail of Substances: Colos is not a single drug but a mixture. Reports suggest it often combines cannabis with substances like codeine syrup, pharmaceutical opioids (such as Tramadol), synthetic opioids, and even toxic chemicals.
Dangerous Additives: Evidence indicates that the mixture can contain heavy metals and other chemicals, including psychoactive herbs and compounds like bezel, lindor, cyclohexyl phenol, and aporphine.
Purpose: It is manufactured and marketed to produce an intense, rapid, and often unpredictable "high" that is much stronger than natural marijuana.
Effects and Risks
- Highly Addictive: Colos is reported to be extremely addictive, trapping users quickly and creating a high potential for severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Severe Adverse Effects: Users may experience severe hallucinations, paranoia, confusion, violent outbursts, and a false sense of confidence.
- Physical and Mental Health Crisis: The drug is linked to serious, often fatal health consequences, including organ failure (heart and kidney), strokes, seizures, acute psychosis, and brain damage.
"On Colos" Trend: The slang "On Colos" has become prevalent in Nigerian music and social media, glamorizing its usage despite its destructive nature.
Addiction and Society
- Rising Abuse: It is popular among youths in Nigeria, with hotspots identified in areas like Lagos (Ajegunle, Mushin, Alimosho) and Kano.
- Accessibility: It is often cheap and easily obtained.
- Combating the Spread: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria is conducting raids and awareness campaigns to combat the increasing abuse of this substance.
Colos is fundamentally different from cannabis, acting more like a deadly, unpredictable synthetic drug that poses a significant threat to life and mental stability.
https://www.tiktok.com/@dwnews/video/7522896146914741537?is_from_webapp=...
Reference
Google
Remi Akinmade
MCommH
HIFA profile: Remi Akinmade is Executive Director of Community Health Information Education Forum (CHIEF), Nigeria. Professional interests: Community Health, Primary Health Care, Maternal Neonatal Child Health (MNCH), Adolescent/Youth Health, STI/HIV/AIDS, Breast/Cervical Cancer, Advocacy, Rights of women, children, Capacity Building - training, empowerment programs, Male involvement. remi.akinmade AT chiefngo.org