CHAPTER 5

The Substance Abuser's Paraphernalia

Detecting hidden substance abuse involves examining the person's personality, habits, friends, job performance, school grades and activities. Every phase of the person's life should be examined. There are many things that a substance abuser will do and say which he/she cannot successfully conceal. When many of these signals are observed or experienced, it is then time to confront the situation until rehabilitation is complete for the person involved.

Besides looking for the personality signs that are listed in this book, people should become familiar with the tools of a substance abuser. A list of these tools is not as good as seeing these tools in person. To do this, one should visit a local drug treatment facility and ask to see their drug identification kit. Also, many police museums have paraphernalia on hand for viewing. Another possible source of information and pictures is the local library. Many books on drugs have pictures of the many paraphernalia items available. Many web sites, particularly those of organizations supporting a drug-free way of life, contain information, pictures of various drugs and pictures of drug paraphernalia.

A substance abuser may have some manufactured paraphernalia, purchased in a "head shop" or novelty store, or may possess homemade paraphernalia. Not all of this material will be left out in the open; some will be hidden. Some paraphernalia that is left out in the open may not be recognized by the uninformed.

Some of the More Common Types of Paraphernalia Are:

Containers in Which to Store Substances

This category includes any type of container that can be used for storage. Often the drugs are stored in common household objects because the substance abuser knows that the suspecting person is looking for unusual objects. Common containers, such as plastic film cases, will only be seen when empty. When those containers are full of drugs they will disappear once again, until empty. Watch for storage items that appear and disappear. The containers usually disappear on the weekends or when parties are planned. The user may leave the containers out in the open, so that the suspecting person will get used to seeing them and will not view them as unusual. An example of this is the mother who noticed that her daughter had many film canisters in her room but did not own a camera. The mother wasn't suspicious because the canisters are a common household item. Many substance abusers are careless and believe if the container or bag is empty, there is no need to worry about getting caught. This is a strong clue that substance abuse is taking place. If you suspect substance abuse, do not be afraid to examine an unusual container for evidence of drugs.

Examples of drug storage containers include:

• small yellow coin envelopes
• letter envelopes
• different sizes of plastic baggies
• small paper bags
• make-up kits
• change purses
• empty plastic film canisters
• cigarette packs
• bottles
• small glass vials
• pipes
• cans
• pill bottles

By visiting a paraphernalia shop or novelty store, one can observe the fake pop cans and other lookalike containers that can be used for storage of substances. These do not look suspicious to the uneducated. They are often sold in stores and catalogues as jewelry safes. Any can, manufactured for any product, can be used as a "safe." he bottom of many cans purchased in paraphernalia shops can be unscrewed, so items can be hidden inside. The top half of the can may contain some of the "real" product, to avoid suspicion. These cans may contain shaving cream or deodorant kept in a locker, furniture polish on a cleaning cart, potato chips in a lunch box, spray lubricant found in a toolbox…and the list goes on.

Cigarette Rolling Papers

A common brand of rolling papers is "E-Z Wider." These are small, flat pads of rolling paper, about twice the size of a pack of matches. Many substance abusers will leave a pack of these cigarette rolling papers in their pockets, on top of dressers, in cars, in their purses, in tool boxes, etc. The substance abuser, once again, thinks that no one will suspect drug use since there is no presence of marijuana. If questioned, users often will state that the papers are used for other purposes. But there is no use for these rolling papers other than to roll a marijuana cigarette. They are not used to clean eyeglasses, etc. And there is only a tiny handful of people today who roll their own tobacco cigarettes. Therefore, cigarette rolling papers should be viewed with suspicion.

Pipes of Any Type

Pipes come in many shapes and sizes. They may be wooden, glass, metal or a combination. A pipe can be as simple as an ordinary soda pop can. The can will be dented with holes punched in the dented area; it may have burnt residue in the dented area. A plain toilet paper roll, wrapped in aluminum foil, can become a pipe. An antenna from a car or TV may also be used as a pipe.

Some pipes are made into different shapes or colors and marketed as a novelty. They may be made into key chains. Many substance abusers state that the only reason they have pipes is for show and uniqueness. In the majority of cases, though, this is not true. These pipes--wooden, glass, metal, etc.--have only one purpose: to be used for heating and subsequent inhaling of substances such as marijuana or crack cocaine.

Pipe Accessories

Along with the basic pipe, there are some other materials that are used when smoking drugs from a pipe. These particular types of paraphernalia are usually left out in the open as well because, without the drug, they are not suspicious. Little round pieces of screen, about the size of a dime, are used for filtering substances when they are heated and smoked in a pipe. Another common accessory is a pipe cleaner--a long, thin piece of soft material wrapped around a wire (about 4" to 6" long), used legitimately to clean tobacco pipes. Many of us have also seen them used in crafts.

Matches or lighters are also needed in order to smoke from a pipe. Lighters may be an important possession to the user and be as decorative as the pipe. High flame lighters are the most common. Butane lighters and pencil propane torches are popular in place of disposable lighters and matches.

Needles and Syringes ("Works")

Unless the person is under medical treatment for a condition that requires self-injection (diabetes, for instance), the discovery of a needle or syringe can indicate only one thing: he/she is involved in the use of seriously dangerous drugs. Users may inject heroin, cocaine, steroids, designer drugs, or any pill or tablet that has been crushed and mixed with liquid. They may inject the drug into a vein or under the skin ("skin popping"). Do not expect to see a "track line." Often the user will inject the drug in an area of the body that is not often seen, such as the thigh, hip, buttocks, or between the toes. They will usually cover up evidence of injecting in the arms by wearing long sleeve shirts.

Using a needle for drugs is also dangerous in another way. Often, needles are shared among users, or a previously used needle may be purchased from the drug dealer. The user may contract HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, or any other disease that can be transmitted via a previously used "dirty" needle.

General Paraphernalia

Other items used as drug paraphernalia are listed here. Some are common items; others are specific to drug use. As with any discovery of possible paraphernalia, it is important to see the whole picture and look for the other signs of drug use. You can also call your local police department or chemical dependency treatment facility to ask questions if you suspect an item is being used for substance abuse.

Other paraphernalia may include:

• Bent paper clips, "roach clips," or "alligator clips" used to hold marijuana cigarettes or joints.
• Clear glass tubes. These may be stolen from a chemistry lab--not for a homework experiment, but to smoke crack or other drugs.
• A water "bong" (an unusually shaped plastic object most often used to smoke marijuana).
• Cigars. Emptied of tobacco and replaced with marijuana, these are called "blunts."
• Spoons. Drugs may be place on the spoon, heated, and the fumes inhaled. Small spoons are used to snort powder cocaine.
• Butane lighters (often used to heat the drugs to inhale fumes when smoking crack or free-basing).
• Razor blades (used to cut cocaine into lines to snort).
• Mirrors. Powder cocaine is often snorted off of mirrors.
• Scales, to weigh drugs.
• A strainer, used to break up cocaine.
• Aluminum foil. The foil may be rolled up to smoke marijuana. Marijuana or crack may be placed on a crumpled piece of foil, lit, and the fumes inhaled.
• Eye drops (may contain LSD or another drug or may be used to cover bloodshot eyes).
• Rags, plastic bags, bottles, or cans with hardened glue on them. These items may be used in glue sniffing to get high.
• Bottles, cans, rags, or plastic bags that smell of gasoline or other fumes. Gasoline or other liquid may be placed in bottles and the fumes inhaled to get high.
• Pop cans, bottles, or bags that are painted inside. Paint is sprayed inside and the fumes are inhaled.
• Metal cylinders that contain nitrous oxide, an inhalant.
• Glass ampoules that contain amyl nitrite, an inhalant.

Any household product that produces fumes may be used for inhaling. Watch for products that are not being used by the individual. This may include spray paint cans when the individual has no painting to do, boys with nail polish remover, lighter fluid but no lighter, etc. Inhaled substances may also include household cleaners, typewriter correcting fluid, antifreeze, etc. Be on the lookout for common products that are out of place.

Other Objects to Watch For

Other objects to watch for include T-shirts, hats, patches, or jewelry that represent drug use. This may include pictures of alcohol or drugs. Common today are clothing and jewelry that are representations of marijuana leaves. Hemp jewelry, made from the cannabis plant, is also very popular in the drug culture. Catch phrases on T-shirts or bumper stickers may be significant; watch for words such as: herb, hemp, high, THC, etc. The substance abuser may also have posters, books, or magazines that celebrate the drug culture. Common magazines include "High Times" or "Ecstasy." If the user has Internet access, his/her favorite web sites may include those that support the drug culture.

Other items are used to cover up the evidence of drug use. Sunglasses may be worn at inappropriate times to hide the effects of drug use (such as dilated pupils or bloodshot eyes) on the eyes. The substance abuser may use eye drops to clear the redness from his/her bloodshot eyes. Over the counter medications may be used to deal with the chronic cough, dry mouth, and chapped lips of the marijuana or crack smoker or the hangover of an alcohol drinker. Incense, room deodorizer, mouthwash, perfume, or cologne may be used regularly to hide the odor of drug use.

Hundreds of types of paraphernalia exist for all aspects of substance use. If you find something and you have no idea what it is used for, chances are that it is used for some aspect of substance use. Confront the individual and ask about its use. If you get an off-the-wall answer, a delayed answer, no answer at all, or statements like, "It isn't anything," "Just junk," or "I found it at school or work," you should further examine the situation to see if there are any other signs that indicate substance abuse.