Captagon Pills

Why in news?

• As global isolation of Syria comes to an end with the Arab League reinstating Syria as its member, the discussions on the trade of Captagon pills have taken the centre-stage once again.

About Captagon Pills:

• Captagon is a highly addictive amphetamine-type drug, which is produced mainly in Syria.
• It was commercially sold in several countries until the 1980s and was banned due to fears of its highly addictive nature.

What do amphetamine-based drugs do?

• It stimulates the central nervous system, providing a boost of energy, enhancing someone’s focus, letting someone stay awake for longer periods of time, and producing a feeling of euphoria. These types of drugs usually stay in the blood for around 36 hours.
• When taken orally, their peak effect occurs one to three hours after consumption, and effects last for as long as seven to 12 hours.

Side effects:

• They can cause loss of appetite and weight, heart problems such as fast heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and heart attack, which can lead to death.
• They can also cause high body temperature, skin flushing, memory loss, problems thinking clearly, and stroke

PRACTICE QUESTION

What is ‘Captagon Pills’, sometime mentioned in news?

(a) A defense strategy used by the directors of a company to prevent activist investors

(b) An illicit drug that stimulates the central nervous system

(c) Traditional trapping pits with inverted funnel-shaped stone walls where domesticated animal is used to lure the prey into the trap

(d) A highly controversial agrichemical due to its acute toxicity,

Answer