2023-08-03 06:39:00
Nicknamed the poor man’s new drug, Lyrica is spreading more and more in Europe, including here. Easily accessible, the drug is diverted from its primary use despite the vigilance of pharmacists.
For several years, the number of Lyrica consumers in our country has been constantly increasing, for several reasons such as the arrival of generic forms, better knowledge of the therapeutic effects of the molecule, but also an increase in the misuse of this drug.
At 23, Hamza (assumed name) suffers from severe depression and to overcome it, he consumes Lyrica which he obtains on the Brussels black market.
“The first time I took Lyrica, I felt a sense of euphoria, I felt good. I found the urge to do things once more, go out with friends and talk to people. The effect lasts a few hours, up to 5 hours in total, following that you feel sleepy and you sleep like a baby, but when you wake up, there is this feeling of depression and malaise once more. “.
Lyrica is a prescription drug used for chronic pain, epilepsy and generalized anxiety disorder. It has anxiolytic, disinhibiting and euphoric effects. It is therefore also a low-cost alternative for some drug users. It is generally called the poor man’s drug and it is possible to buy it individually or in boxes in the streets of Brussels, Liège and major Belgian cities.
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The box of 56 capsules is sold between 5 euros and 20 euros, depending on the dosage, but can be resold for one or two euros per tablet. Compared to the prices of other drugs, Lyrica is cheaper.
If you have the slightest doubt, you contact the doctor.
Lyrica has a euphoric effect, it also gives the impression of omnipotence. Lyrica is rarely eaten alone. This drug is superimposed on other products (crack, cocaine, methadone, etc.). Most of the people encountered in the field are multi-consumers. Users are sometimes very aggressive or violent. There may be confrontations between dealers, but also with consumers in need. And then there is the whole aspect of theft and assault to get money to consume.
In Belgium, the first observations of misuse were made in 2016. According to specialists in the field, the covid crisis has intensified the phenomenon of consumption.
The number of mutualised patients having received at least one Lyrica prescription reimbursed by social security in Belgium has increased from 5,318 in 2006 to 140,483 in 2020. This is 26 times more, in 14 years.
Valérie has been a pharmacist for almost 30 years. She notes that prescriptions have been forged for regarding six years: “If we have the slightest doubt, we contact the doctor. In general, what we will do practically is to say: I do not have this medicine, I order it for you, leave me your number telephone and I will contact your doctor. And there, we see with the doctor if he says that we must give it to him or if he was not aware “.
Abuse of this very addictive molecule can cause heart rhythm disorders, hallucinations, comas and even lead to death.
David Weytsman, president of the Health Committee at the French-speaking Brussels Parliament wants to set up a task force with the municipalities, the Cpas, the Federal, the Region, the pharmacists and the doctors to limit medical prescriptions and sales in pharmacies and raise awareness of the effects of this medicine.
As for Hamza, to limit his consumption, he gets help from a support service. Today, the young man has gone from 10 to 5 tablets a day.
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