Abstract
Substance abuse is a global problem. The types of drugs, patterns of abuse and other demographic characters change over time. Five incidences including two case series are discussed here. They involve teenagers and young adults including fist-time users of cocktails of drugs including relatively newer substances of abuse in Sri Lanka such as amphetamines and methamphetamines. Illegal gatherings organized through the internet such as Facebook parties are becoming commoner in Sri Lanka providing a safe platform for experiencing illegal drugs and casual sex for teenagers including school children. Recreational abuse of these drugs in the dance culture by teenagers and young adults poses many medical, social and psychological problems. Young female substance abusers are on the rise. Chemsex or the abuse of psychoactive substances to enhance sexual desire, performance and to achieve a ‘carefree and relaxed mind-set’ during casual sex is a relatively newer entity in Sri Lanka which is reported in these case series. Rave parties, beach parties and Facebook parties pose many new challenges to the law enforcement, Government Analyst and the Judicial Medical Officer in Sri Lanka. Multi-disciplinary research and infrastructure development are necessary to successfully face these challenges.
Highlights
Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs.[1]
Once well known ‘Acid Parties’ are almost never heard of these days and the transition had been towards the abuse of amphetamines and methamphetamines in the form of ‘Ice Parties’ since the late twentieth century.[3,4]
Incident 04 Hundred and thirteen (113) suspects were produced for medico-legal examination for illicit drug use, from an illegally organized ‘Facebook’ party held in a private residence taken for one night’s hire. 27 of them were girls. 09 participants were below the age of 18 years
Summary
Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs.[1]. Incident 01 A 15-year-old schoolgirl was recovered from a suicidal attempt of injecting Brazo® (a commercial preparation of strong mineral acids used for polishing brass instruments) into cubital fossa following an argument with her parents when the parents made restrictions to her social behaviour after they got to know that she is addicted to illicit drugs and that she maintains casual relationships with boys for fun. Incident 02 A twelve-year-old parentless boy from sub-optimal socio-economic backgrounds was produced for medico-legal examination following an attempt of sexual assault upon an eight-year-old girl He had been suspected of several petty crimes and robberies. Incident 04 Hundred and thirteen (113) suspects were produced for medico-legal examination for illicit drug use, from an illegally organized ‘Facebook’ party held in a private residence taken for one night’s hire. They claimed that they were not aware of their state of pregnancy and STIs at the time of examination
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