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Many Thai villagers hooked on new, more potent heroin
July 20, 1996
Web posted at: 8:05 p.m. EDT (0005 GMT)MAE CHEN, Thailand (CNN) -- A woman in northern Thailand crouches on the floor as if in a trance. She takes out a needle filled with heroin and gives herself a quick fix by jabbing it into her arm.
It's not an uncommon scene in many remote villages, and the availability of a potent new form of the drug, known as "999", is a cause for even more alarm among health professionals.
The 999 is a low-quality, inexpensive heroin with twice the normal punch. And, the euphoria its users experience can have disastrous aftereffects.
In this case, the woman's habit has given her AIDS. Since 999 surfaced three months ago, the widespread drug has devastated many villagers.
Somsak, another drug user, recently injected a syringe of 999. He collapsed immediately and almost died, but a friend saved him.
"I injected this heroin, but it's stronger than usual. I got a shock and died," Somsak said. "My friend injected me twice with sugar-water solution until I revived, but I still felt very stoned."
Dr. Jennifer Gray runs an Australian-funded methadone program in the area, aimed at weaning addicts away from heroin by giving them methadone, a painkiller often prescribed for heroin addiction. It is more potent than morphine, but has milder withdrawal symptoms. Gray is worried about 999's potential harm.
"It's twice the strength of the heroin that's been around here for the past few years," she said. "That means when people inject it, they have no idea what the effect will be on their bodies."
Combating addiction
The new heroin is believed to come from the hills and jungles of Thailand, Burma and Laos. The area, known as the Golden Triangle, is a prime source of heroin for much of Europe and the United States. The new heroin costs about $2 for a small dose.
The appearance of 999 is said to stem directly from the surrender of Golden Triangle drug lord Khun Sa, one of the world's largest exporters of high-quality heroin. Khun Sa's successors lack his production skills and are making the more primitive heroin, authorities said.
A major dealer in one village said all of his clients have collapsed after injecting 999.
For those trying to stop use of the drug, it's a difficult battle.
"Even the sellers are frightened. People say that after using this heroin for two months, they feel dreadful -- far worse than before," said Ayei, a drug project worker. "They're afraid it'll kill them. The poor have to use it, because it's all they can afford."
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- Border war: Summit focuses on surge in drug smuggling - July 10, 1996
- American journalist faces life in Thai jail for drug conviction - October 19, 1995
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