Vim in the Veins–Fantasy or Fact: The Adulteration of Illicit Drugs

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to throw some light on the adulteration and dilution of illicit drugs, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and ecstasy in particular. The findings of the paper question common assertions that street drugs are 'dirty' drugs full of dangerous and unknown quantities such as brick-dust, Vim, Ajax (domestic cleaning agents), rat-poison and even ground glass, as well as the logic of why such practices should be thought to exist. Common adulterants and diluents (diluting agents) are outlined and discussed and an understanding of them as essentially rational and relatively safe not unpredictable and life-threatening is put forward. It is further suggested that far less adulteration than is frequently believed to take place actually does so.

Key Words:

• Adulterants
• diluents
• impurities
• dangerous adulterants
• purity
• drug market effects on adulteration practices