Illicit substances are often “stepped on,” meaning they are mixed with other compounds. This practice dilutes the original drug, altering its composition and creating an unpredictable product.
Understanding “Stepped On”
“Stepping on” drugs involves adding other substances to increase volume. This process allows sellers to maximize profits by selling a smaller amount of the original substance as a larger quantity. Sometimes, adulterants are also added to alter the drug’s effects, potentially making it more potent or mimicking other substances. This deliberate alteration introduces unknown variables into the substance, making each batch potentially different and inherently risky.
Common Adulterants and Their Risks
Adulterants found in illicit drugs broadly fall into two categories: inert fillers and active compounds. Inert fillers, such as sugars like lactose, dextrose, mannitol, and sucrose, or substances like talc and cellulose, are primarily used to increase bulk. While these substances may seem harmless, they can still pose risks, including allergic reactions or irritation, especially if injected. For instance, contaminants like glass, aluminum, or lead have been found in illicit marijuana samples, potentially causing mouth sores, pulmonary irritation, chronic cough, or lead poisoning.
Other adulterants are active compounds, which can significantly increase health risks. These include over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or caffeine, which can mask poor quality or enhance stimulant effects. More dangerously, other illicit drugs or potent opioids like fentanyl may be added. Fentanyl, being 50 times more potent than heroin, dramatically increases the risk of overdose and respiratory depression, even in small, unperceived quantities. Users often don’t know what has been added or its concentration, leading to potentially lethal outcomes.
Identifying Adulterated Drugs
Identifying “stepped on” drugs presents significant challenges due to their clandestine nature. Visual inspection, such as observing color, texture, or smell, is often unreliable because many adulterants are indistinguishable from the primary drug. For example, counterfeit pills can look identical to genuine ones, making visual identification nearly impossible.
More reliable methods for detecting contaminants include drug testing kits, such as fentanyl test strips or reagent kits. These tools can identify specific substances, offering harm reduction by providing information about the drug’s composition. However, even these methods are not foolproof and laboratory testing remains the only way to confirm a drug’s authenticity with 100% certainty.