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Drug Paraphernalia

Very rarely will a drug user allow herself to be observed while actually using drugs. So if your goal is to detect and deter drug use amongst your loved ones, your vigilance must be focused on other things. The first subject to become familiar with are the signs of impairment. These are discussed on the Diagnosing Drug Use Page. Next, you need to learn how, and where, to look for signs that drug use is occurring outside of your presence. You’ll learn all you need to know about that topic, by quickly browsing through the Detecting Drug Use Pages. The last important tool in your toolkit, is a solid grasp of the most common drug paraphernalia.

Some paraphernalia, like a marijuana bong, is plainly obvious. Some paraphernalia, like a 3 inch piece of plastic straw, is very subtle. And then there is a whole host of paraphernalia that is specifically designed to conceal its purpose from non-drug users. The trick is to bring your knowledge up to speed with that of the average drug user. And yes, that is possible. With just a little background, you can be eminently capable of identifying the subtle signs of drug use.

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Category I: Packaging and Storage
Drugs are perishable products that must be packaged for sale and storage. There are some tried and true methods that most drug sellers and users remain loyal to. From plastic baggies and film canisters, to paper or foil folds, this page will demonstrate the most common packaging techniques. Full color photographs are included to show you exactly what to look for. Click the icon to learn more!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Category II: Product Preparation
Most drugs require some amount of preparation before they can be used. Marijuana is usually “grinded”, heroin might be “cooked”, some pills need to be cut or crushed. These preparations oftentimes require additional paraphernalia, which gives you more evidence to pick up on. By knowing what these things are, and how they are used, you can dramatically enhance your Drug IQ. Click the icon to learn more!
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Category III: Getting It In The Body
This group of paraphernalia includes the items needed to get drugs into the body. Only a few drugs are eaten. Because of the speed and intensity of the high, most drug users prefer to inhale or inject their drugs. This requires pipes, lighters, needles, and other things that help facilitate the process. This page will take you on a behind-the-scenes tour, of a drug user’s toolkit. Click the icon to learn more!
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Category IV: Concealment
The last group of paraphernalia includes items that drug users rely upon to conceal their activity. When a person does drugs, they change their environment. Fumes fill the air, odors saturate the breath, and the body telegraphs some of what is going on inside it. Drug users have techniques for concealing these things. A knowledgeable observer can pick up on the countermeasures, and uncover important indicators of drug use. Click the icon to learn more!