WHAT ARE BARBITURATES?

Barbiturates are depressants that produce a wide spectrum of central nervous system depression, from mild sedation to coma. They have also been used as sedatives, hypnotics, anaesthetics, and anticonvulsants. Barbiturates are classified as:

• Ultrashort
• Short
• Intermediate
• Long-acting

WHAT IS THEIR ORIGIN?

Barbiturates were first introduced for medical use in the 1900s, and today, few substances are in medical use.

WHAT ARE COMMON STREET NAMES?

Common street names include:

• Barbs
• Block Busters
• Christmas Trees
• Goof Balls
• Pinks
• Red Devils
• Reds & Blues
• Yellow Jackets

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?

Barbiturates come in a variety of multicoloured pills and tablets. Users prefer short-acting and intermediate barbiturates such as Amytal® and Seconal®.

HOW ARE THEY ABUSED?

Barbiturates are abused by swallowing a pill or injecting a liquid form. Barbiturates are generally abused to reduce anxiety, decrease inhibitions, and treat the unwanted effects of illicit drugs. Barbiturates can be extremely dangerous because overdoses can occur easily and lead to death.

What is their effect on the mind?

Barbiturates cause:

• Mild euphoria
• lack of restraint
• relief of anxiety
• sleepiness

• Impairment of memory, judgement, and coordination; irritability; and paranoid and suicidal ideation

• Tolerance develops quickly, and larger doses are then needed to produce the same effect, increasing the danger of an overdose.

WHAT IS THEIR EFFECT ON THE BODY?

Barbiturates slow down the central nervous system and cause sleepiness.

WHAT ARE THEIR OVERDOSE EFFECTS?

Effects of overdose include:

• Central nervous system depression

• Decreased Respiration
• Increased Heart Rate
• Decreased Blood Pressure
• Decreased Urine Production
• Decreased Body Temperature
• Coma And Possible Death

WHAT IS THEIR LEGAL STATUS IN GUYANA?

Barbiturates are Schedule II substances under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, Cap. 10 10