Quaaludes: A Silent Killer

On the street Quaaludes are known as ludes, sopes, soapers, or "Q's". Quaaludes are a drug that gives its user a calming effect. This is accomplished by the drugs ability to shut down the body's central nervous system. Although Quaaludes are an illegal drug today, at one time doctors prescribed them to their patients as a muscle relaxer. Originally in addition to being prescribed as a muscle relaxer, Quaaludes where used as a substitute for prescription sleeping pills. Quaaludes became a popular recreation drug in the nineteen seventies in America. Today this drug is widely popular in South America for recreational purposes as well.

When a person takes Quaaludes, they get a feeling of being extremely happy and high for several hours. Those that are using Quaaludes become at ease with doing and saying thinks that are out of character for them as they have a feeling of great freedom. Quaaludes will cause the body to be in a state of relaxation. Because they drug has a great relaxation effect, they usually cause drowsiness as well. The body's coronation will be off balance, making walking, and talking more difficult. In addition those who use Quaaludes, may not have a good grip and writing can be very difficult as well.

The regular use of Quaaludes everyday in excess as a form of a high can be quite deadly. This is a drug that the body will build up a tolerance to. As a result, the user many times overlooks the negative effects of the drug. As the tolerance builds up and more of the drug is taken to receive the same high, one can die without any indication that they are nearing this state. When one overdoses on Quaaludes, they may have clammy skin, shallow breathing, and a change in heart rate making the rate weak, slow, or more rapid. In addition blood pressure may become extremely low. These factors can lead to death of the individual. As with many drugs, when mixed with alcohol, Quaaludes can become deadly.