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Drugs

     District 18 has many ways to escape the drudgery of the world, either through VR stimulation, bars and clubs, and even sex. But the most common aspect is through the use of drugs. In District 18, it is assumed that real world drugs exist in synthetic form, and in many cases such as Marijuana, are legal to partake. But this is a cyberpunk world of high tech innovation, and with that in mind, below are a number of unique drugs custom made for the setting for characters to enjoy, use, abuse, and sling.

Category I

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Daydream

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Also known as ‘Sugar’. In its purest form, appears as tiny white crystals which are less commonly snorted while usually processed into a clear liquid by the user before being injected. The more opaque the liquid, the more cut its been with other substances. This drug is usually sold in vials and has a sweet, yet acidic odor.

 

The user may experience an inability to concentrate, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and feelings of apathy. This drug is known to inhibit the brain stem and parietal lobes such that the user may not experience hunger or thirst and may have difficulty reacting to pain. In exchange, the user will experience a sense of contentment and reality may become skewed for them.

 

Signs of use include constricted pupils, lethargy, and inhibited focus and cognitive ability. Signs of addiction include weight loss, malnutrition, dependency, and apathy. Long term use has a variety of severe health effects such as damage to the vascular system and liver. It may also cause menstrual irregularity in fertile women as well as sedation. Signs of overdose include depressed respiration, coma, and death.

 

Addictiveness Rating: Extremely High

Type: Depressant

 

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Pop

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This drug comes in the form of a powder packed into tablets or crystals that look like shards of glass. It is most commonly sold on a stick that resembles rock candy. The user may snort or smoke the powder, swallow the crystals, or process it for injection for as feeling of physical and mental well-being as well as a surge of euphoria and exhilaration. This drug may cause a spike in energy that is often perceived as improving performance at manual or intellectual tasks, but occasionally triggers aggressive and bizarre behavior. The user may feel a postponement of hunger and fatigue.  

 

Signs of use include a loss of appetite, hastened respiration, increases in heart rate and blood pressure and heightened body temperature that results in sweating. Large doses may cause the user to feel restless and irritable and trigger panic attacks. Signs of addiction include weight loss, malnutrition, and the development of psychological dependence. Chronic users who stop taking it usually sleep for long periods of time while feeling depressed. Signs of overdose include convulsions and death from respiratory failure, stroke, or heart failure.

 

Addictiveness Rating: High

Type: Stimulant

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CouRage

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Also referred to as ‘Rage’, ‘Rager’, or ‘Comet’. This drug comes as a rock-like substance that is usually ground into a fine dust and inhaled nasally. The user experiences a sense of boundless confidence that is partially aided by a moderately unlocked physical ability accompanied by a feeling of focus or being amped up.

 

Signs of use include mania, aggression, risky behavior, hastened respiration, heighted body temperature, and increased heart rate which cumulates to sweating. Overdoses have been reported to dehydration, heart failure, and death. The greatest danger one faces when high on CouRage is themselves. Signs of addiction include damage capillaries, worn skin around the eyes, severe nose bleeds and headaches.

 

Addictiveness Rating: High

Type: Stimulant

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Category II

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Juicebox

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In its purest form, appears as a soft pink powder packed into a small brick shape similar to bubblegum. In lesser forms, the quality can often be distinguished by existing flakes. Both pure or lesser forms have no discernible odor, however. This drug is usually crushed and then snorted to induce a sense of exhilaration and euphoria. The user is likely to experience a temporary energy spikes and feelings of alertness followed by a low when hunger and fatigue set in.   

 

Signs of use include hastened breath, elevated heart rate, heightened body temperature and erratic or violent behavior. Signs of addiction may include weight loss and malnutrition, drug dependency, apathy, prolonged disorientation, and paranoia. Overdoses are associated with seizures, strokes, cerebral hemorrhaging and heart failure.

 

Addictiveness Rating: Moderate - High

Type: Stimulant

 

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Blue Fantasy

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Sometimes referred to ‘Blue’. This drug is normally found in the form of a thin, bright blue piece of laced paper that turns one’s tongue blue, but also comes in powder tablets that promote greater highs. The paper form is placed on or under the tongue and usually has a somewhat sour taste while the powder tablets may be dissolved in a drink giving it a slight kick. The user experiences an extended euphoria and sense of belonging without social inhibition which makes it a popular choice among club goers and those with performance anxiety. Dizziness, arousal, and a ‘warm’ feeling are all associated effects.

 

Signs of use may include dilated pupils, promiscuity, inhibited coordination, muscle weakness, nausea, and memory loss. Overdoses are rare, but may cause severely depressed respiration, hallucinations, and blackouts which may pose other dangers.

 

Addictiveness Rating: Low

Type: Depressant

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Category III

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Midnight Oil

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An oily substance that comes in an array of colors and is often found in small vials. The drug is used by dabbing on one’s tongue to bring about a general feeling of euphoria which makes the user feel light and experiences a heightened sensory response in all of the senses but touch. The user may also experience an increase in appetite, fastened pulse, and impaired cognitive function.   

 

Signs of use include dilated pupils, vacant expressions, slow speech, hunger, and quickened heartbeat. Signs of addiction may disinterest in other usually enjoyable activities. Risk factors for long term use include lung cancer, or cancer of the respiratory system, and other respiratory diseases. Overdoses are known to cause hallucinations which may be accompanied by anxiety, panic attacks, and even psychosis.

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Addictiveness Rating: Low - Moderate

Type: Depressant

 

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Earth Dust

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A thick dust made of synthetic moss that has been incubated and dried to a brown color that is usually smoked and less commonly snorted. This drug promotes a moderate high where the user experiences a sense of calm accompanied by giddiness, goosebumps, and muscle weakness. Hallucinations and paranoia may be associated with ‘bad trips’.

 

Signs of use include a lack of focus or motivation, a ‘happy go lucky’ demeanor, or a case of the giggles. The user may experience bizarre cravings. There are no recorded instances of overdose, but major highs may cause the user to fall into a deep sleep

 

Addictiveness Rating: Moderate

Type: Depressant

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