What’s in the powder?

The 'What’s in the Powder?’ campaign is the result of a collaboration between three Dublin universities – DIT, TCD, and UCD - and the Ana Liffey Drug Project. Resources created include posters and factsheets, which will be distributed on campus as well as promoted on social media and via the drugs.ie website.

The campaign builds on the success of the partnership achieved with the recent 'What's in the Pill?' campaign - now supported by 15 third level institutes and the Union of Students in Ireland.

Information

The campaign features harm reduction information, including the following:

A number of different types of drugs come in white powder form. When buying illicit white powders you can never be fully sure of the contents. Generally white powders are uppers (stimulant), downers (sedative) or trippy (hallucinogen).
Some examples of substances that come in white powder are, stimulants: cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA, mephadrone; sedatives: ketamine, GHB, PCP; hallucinogens: 2C-B; N-Bomb; Alpha-Methyltryptamine.

It is always safest not to take unknown or illicit drugs at all.
If you do decide to take powders…

It is less risky to start with a small test dose to see what effect the drug has on you. However, you cannot remove the risk entirely; small doses can also be dangerous.
Not all powders are suitable for snorting. Plan how you will take your powder in advance.
Wait 2 hours. Some drugs take longer to take effect than others.
Use your own tooter. Sniffing off unclean surfaces such as toilet seats/phones and sharing your tooter increases the risk of getting infections including blood-borne viruses.
Rinse out your nose with water afterwards. Some powders clump in the nose and drip down the throat. Ketamine in particular can cause harm to your stomach.
Rehydrate with water or isotonic drinks regularly, but don't go over a pint per hour. If dancing, take regular breaks.
Avoid mixing with other drugs including alcohol and prescription medication. Mixing drugs can be unpredictable and may place greater strain on your heart or other internal organs.
Use in a safe environment. The use of psychoactive substances in clubs or at festivals can be frightening if you begin tripping or fall into a K Hole.
Seek help if needed and be honest with emergency services about what you think you've taken.