A Lethal Concoction

The ingredients comprising whoonga vary, some ingredients are a mixturel of anti-retroviral drugs, pool cleaner, milk powder, bicarbonate of soda and milk powder. Typically, whoonga has cannabis as a prominent component, but this is mixed with crystal meth, heroin and other drugs. Street portions contain high volumes of toxic bulk fillers and other cheap powders (for inflating the size of the portion).

ARV (HIV/AIDS) medications are also being added. Some users believe it enhances the drug. This is fueled by ignorance about different, complex ARV formulations. The ARV issue has, however, become a particular problem. These medicines are being stolen from patients and hospitals. They are also sold to drug traffickers by impoverished patients who obtain it through government health programs. This is, in turn hampering the treatment of AIDS.

Due to high addictiveness, the drug leads to further criminality by users who need money to finance their purchases, as well as gang-related “turf wars”.