Whoonga
Encyclopedia
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Whoonga is a drug that has allegedly come into widespread use in South Africa
in 2010, notably in the impoverished townships of Durban
. It is claimed to be appearing in other places in South Africa as well.
There are differing reports regarding the exact ingredients of whoonga. Some reports mention only dagga (marijuana
) being used as a base while others say it is heroin or even a cocktail of heroin and crystal meth and that dagga is merely smoked together with it rather than being the base drug. The base drug is stretched with various other substances that may include rat poison and powdered detergents and in particular anti-retroviral drugs
used for AIDS
treatment. However, AIDS experts point out that the ingredients of the anti-retroviral drugs are unlikely to cause the whoonga high and users might simply fool themselves in that regard. Also, a laboratory analysis of samples of the drug failed to detect any anti-retroviral drugs in its makeup. According to some experts of the South African Police Service
and drug rehabiliation centers whoonga is essentially just a rebranding of older heroin based drugs like sugars:
The drug is described as highly addictive. Project Whoonga, a charity devoted to combating the drug, reports that users feel heavy cravings even on the first day of use. It is also dangerous, because it reduces both heart and lung function. In overdose, heart and lung function reduction becomes fatal. Withdrawal symptoms reportedly involve both craving and pain, which are temporarily relieved by fresh doses of the drug.
The anti-retroviral drugs allegedly used to make whoonga are those distributed in the area to patients with HIV
. The claimed major source of the anti-retrovirals appears to be robbery of HIV patients. There are media reports which claim HIV patients are being mugged for their pills as they leave the clinics where they obtain them. Reports also claim that some patients sell their HIV medications and that some corrupt health workers may be selling the anti-retrovirals illegally into the whoonga market.
The cost of the drug is reported to be about 20 rand
, or three US dollars. However, reports indicate that a whoonga addict needs several doses a day, and users are typically too poor to afford the drug out of their legal income. Addicts therefore turn to crime to raise the money for their supply. There are reports that claim whoonga addicts attempt to become HIV-positive, since anti-retrovirals are distributed to poor HIV patients free of charge.
According to a report in The Sowetan, the organization Whoonga Free, founded to battle addiction to the drug, collapsed for lack of funding in March 2011.
Whoonga is a drug that has allegedly come into widespread use in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 2010, notably in the impoverished townships of Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. It is claimed to be appearing in other places in South Africa as well.
There are differing reports regarding the exact ingredients of whoonga. Some reports mention only dagga (marijuana
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
) being used as a base while others say it is heroin or even a cocktail of heroin and crystal meth and that dagga is merely smoked together with it rather than being the base drug. The base drug is stretched with various other substances that may include rat poison and powdered detergents and in particular anti-retroviral drugs
Antiretroviral drug
Antiretroviral drugs are medications for the treatment of infection by retroviruses, primarily HIV. When several such drugs, typically three or four, are taken in combination, the approach is known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, or HAART...
used for AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
treatment. However, AIDS experts point out that the ingredients of the anti-retroviral drugs are unlikely to cause the whoonga high and users might simply fool themselves in that regard. Also, a laboratory analysis of samples of the drug failed to detect any anti-retroviral drugs in its makeup. According to some experts of the South African Police Service
South African Police Service
The South African Police Service is the national police force of the Republic of South Africa. Its 1116 police stations in South Africa are divided according to the provincial borders, and a Provincial Commissioner is appointed in each province...
and drug rehabiliation centers whoonga is essentially just a rebranding of older heroin based drugs like sugars:
- “The media has made a fuss about the new drug on the streets, panicking people and worrying the government. But it’s not new,” the SAPS’s Colonel Jay Naicker said.
- “The drug dealers add all sorts of stuff to the heroin, the primary ingredient, just to increase the mass of the drug when it’s sold and make the heroin go further. A lot of the stuff has no effect and users have no idea what’s going in,” said a member of the police’s Organised Crime Unit.
The drug is described as highly addictive. Project Whoonga, a charity devoted to combating the drug, reports that users feel heavy cravings even on the first day of use. It is also dangerous, because it reduces both heart and lung function. In overdose, heart and lung function reduction becomes fatal. Withdrawal symptoms reportedly involve both craving and pain, which are temporarily relieved by fresh doses of the drug.
The anti-retroviral drugs allegedly used to make whoonga are those distributed in the area to patients with HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
. The claimed major source of the anti-retrovirals appears to be robbery of HIV patients. There are media reports which claim HIV patients are being mugged for their pills as they leave the clinics where they obtain them. Reports also claim that some patients sell their HIV medications and that some corrupt health workers may be selling the anti-retrovirals illegally into the whoonga market.
The cost of the drug is reported to be about 20 rand
South African rand
The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"...
, or three US dollars. However, reports indicate that a whoonga addict needs several doses a day, and users are typically too poor to afford the drug out of their legal income. Addicts therefore turn to crime to raise the money for their supply. There are reports that claim whoonga addicts attempt to become HIV-positive, since anti-retrovirals are distributed to poor HIV patients free of charge.
According to a report in The Sowetan, the organization Whoonga Free, founded to battle addiction to the drug, collapsed for lack of funding in March 2011.