Mandrax, buttons, or Quaalude as it is medically known, has been a drug associated with the Cape Flats with ties to the drug trade and gang feuds as far back as the 1980’s.
The drug was introduced in the early 1970’s. However, the drug's popularity seem to be eclipsed by the scourge of Tik (methamphetamine) and party drug unga (Heroin) on the Cape Flats...or at least so it seemed.
But police raids and drug operations tell a different story.
Recently a drug mule was arrested with a truckload of drugs with a street value of more than R2m.
Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Potjie said among the bags of dagga, weighing about 60.2kg, 39 000 mandrax tablets were concealed in plastic bags.
Criminal expert Simon Howell said mandrax has proven to be one of the most constant drugs in the Western Cape and even South Africa.
Howell explains that the drug was once used as a sleeping pill, to help with conditions such as insomnia and in the World War II to help soldiers sleep.
“You could buy quaaludes over the counter and in stores, it was produced at pharmacies and was legal.”
Howell said in South Africa, the drug took sinister form with the introduction of buttons.
“I don't know who or how the person discovered it could be crushed and used as a powder, but that’s how South Africa changed it,” said Howell.
An increase in arrests this year were made in relation to possession of the drug.
Wayne Dyason, a spokesperson for the City of Cape Towns Law Enforcement, confirmed that between January to November 2021, officers attached to LEAP made a total of 1 938 arrest for narcotics of which more than half, 1 117, arrests was for Mandrax.
Metro Police Department spokesperson Ruth Solomons also added that the Metro Police drug confiscation statistics for the past 15 months indicated that of the 26 309 units of drugs confiscated, mandrax accounted for 32% (8 538 units).
Howell attributed these arrests to the availability of the drug and said the only thing really needed is the machine to make the drug.
“Mandrax during lockdown seems to be one of the most constant drugs. While the prices and productivity of other drugs took a knock, Mandrax stayed the same.
“This is because it is locally manufactured in illegal laboratories, and it is also not that difficult to produce, you don't need a chemical degree to make it.”
Howell said drug dealers also know and understands its market.
A previous user of the drug who is now 69 years old and has been clean for almost six years spoke to the Weekend Argus.
The pensioner said he remembed when the drug made its first appearance in the 1970’s.
“We used to call it ‘poppit’ because they used to swallow it then. Then it went from poppit to buttons because it was then crushed and sprinkled ontop of dagga.”
The ex-user described the feeling of the drug as a immediate-high that “makes you feel on top of the world”.
“You think you’re the man, but don't know how slow you actually are to others. The drug also makes you very sleepy and slur your words. But you never get the same feeling as you got that first time and you end up chasing it, without any success.”
The man who used mandrax for well over 30 years, said the reason he stopped was because he realised that the drug destroyed his life.
“I realised I'm only getting older and still chasing a feeling I never felt again. Money was also wasted ... the deal breaker, so I just made that decision to stop.”
Howell confirmed what the old man’s experience with the drug and explained the drug initially was a depressant tablet.
“Mandrax is a rough drug. Studies proved that it gives you a high like you are extremely drunk, that is why you see users with a bucket next to them to spit or vomit and then they go to sleep.
“It is also one of the easier drugs to stop, it just takes a lot of will power.”
Howell, however, predicted that the drug would lose its popularity over time.
“This drug is usually used by the mid-age group, 30, 40 and 50 years old.
“Our younger generation settles for drugs like tik, ecstasy, heroin or unga. This is why mandrax will eventually get old and die out.”