Other Drugs

Anabolic steroids are chemicals similar to the male hormone testosterone; doctors prescribe them to treat problems such as delayed puberty or other conditions that cause the body to produce lower-than-normal amounts of testosterone. However, it is illegal in Canada to obtain anabolic steroids without a prescription. ^[1]

People may buy steroids without a prescription because they want to lower body fat, build muscle and improve performance in sports. However, doses of illegal steroids can be 10 to 100 times stronger than those prescribed by doctors, and can lead to serious side effects. ^[1]

In men, the side effects may include: reduced sperm counts; shrunken testicles; infertility; and growth of breast tissue. In women, side effects include: increased body hair; rough skin; smaller breasts; and deepening of the voice. In either gender, effects may include: high blood pressure; heart attacks; stroke; elevated cholesterol; liver disease; acne; skin infections; and increased aggression and violence. ^[1]

Illegal steroids are also a concern because they are often produced in clandestine laboratories with no health regulations or oversight. In 2014, ALERT seized $9.3 million worth of illegal steroids from an Edmonton home. Insp. Darcy Strang told the Edmonton Sun at the time: “What we have here is somebody making this literally in his house…and we really don’t know what’s in them.” ^[2]

MDMA, also known as ecstasy, was first developed by a German pharmaceutical company in 1912. It was intended as a parent compound to synthesize medications that would control bleeding. ^[3] However, it became somewhat popular among psychiatrists in the late 1970s and early 1980s as they believed it helped patients communicate and gain insight into their problems. This was despite the fact the drug had not undergone clinical trials and was not approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ^[3]

Around that same time, MDMA became more readily available on the streets. ^[3] It soon became associated with nightclubs and all-night dance parties called raves. ^[4] It usually appears as pills or tablets, though it also can be bought and consumed in liquid form or as a powder.4

MDMA increases the levels of three chemicals in the brain: dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. ^[4] This leads to increased energy, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and increased feelings of sexual arousal and trust. However, negative effects of MDMA include: nausea; muscle cramps; involuntary clenching of teeth; blurry vision; chills; and sweating. ^[4] High doses of the drug can affect the body’s ability to regulate its own temperature, causing a spike that could result in liver, kidney or heart failure. ^[4]

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, is more commonly known as the “date rape drug.” It is odorless and colorless, allowing people to slip it into other people’s drinks without them noticing. The victim then can become incapacitated and unable to fend off their attacker’s sexual advances. ^[5] Those who have taken GHB may experience euphoria, but they can also lose consciousness or hallucinate, become nauseated, and even become comatose. ^[5] These effects are usually felt within 10-20 minutes of ingesting the drug, and can last up to four hours. ^[6]

GHB was first synthesized in 1960 and used throughout much of the following decade as an anaesthetic by doctors. In the 1970s, it was recommended as a treatment for narcolepsy, although it was later deemed ineffective due to its euphoric side effects. During the 1980s, it was marketed as a way to help people burn fat and build muscle. But in 1990, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared it unsafe and had it removed from shelves after receiving more than 30 reports of illness linked to GHB. ^[7]

Khat is an evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The leaves of the plant contain chemicals that act as stimulants when ingested. Fresh leaves can simply be chewed to release these chemicals, while dried khat leaves can be smoked, made into tea or added to food. Khat has been traditionally used in places like Somalia, Yemen and Ethiopia for centuries. ^[8]

Khat is often used to elevate mood and increase feelings of alertness ^[9], as well as to decrease the need for food and prevent hunger in areas where resources are scarce. ^[10] However, it can also cause rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, insomnia, mouth ulcers, gum disease and constipation. ^[9]