Post by lithle on Dec 21, 2010 20:31:21 GMT -5
Crackdust, now usually referred to as simply 'Dust' is a relatively new drug, developed on Pern about one-hundred turns after the end of Threadfall. It's usual form is a white powder, which is snorted by users. It's effects are most comparable to heroin, though not identical.
Dust is a derivative of Fellis, and was first developed at the Healer Hall as a medication for those suffering from chronic pain. However, the powder created was found to be much too dangerous, and was discontinued.
Or it should have been. No one is entirely sure how Dust got introduced to the general population, though the most likely source is an unscrupulous healer. What is known is that within twenty-five turns, use of Dust was spreading wildly throughout Pern. It's at this point that the council convened, setting down the new Pern-wide laws, setting up the Dragon-Watch, and outlawing Dust.
Dust itself induces a euphoric state and has a soporific effect. It's addictive to some within one use. It's the addictive qualities of Dust that make it so dangerous. Not only does over-use often lead to death, between fixes users often display violent mood swings and increasingly aggressive behavior. A Dust user who is constantly supplied is relatively harmless, if useless and likely to die sooner, rather than later. A Dust user who can't afford his or her fix, however, is an extremely dangerous individual.
Withdrawal symptoms of Dust vary depending on the length of time that the person has been using but along with the severe moodswings and violence comes hyperactive paranoia, dialated pupils, cold sweats, and in the cases of addicts of many years, seizures and/or death.
Dust is a derivative of Fellis, and was first developed at the Healer Hall as a medication for those suffering from chronic pain. However, the powder created was found to be much too dangerous, and was discontinued.
Or it should have been. No one is entirely sure how Dust got introduced to the general population, though the most likely source is an unscrupulous healer. What is known is that within twenty-five turns, use of Dust was spreading wildly throughout Pern. It's at this point that the council convened, setting down the new Pern-wide laws, setting up the Dragon-Watch, and outlawing Dust.
Dust itself induces a euphoric state and has a soporific effect. It's addictive to some within one use. It's the addictive qualities of Dust that make it so dangerous. Not only does over-use often lead to death, between fixes users often display violent mood swings and increasingly aggressive behavior. A Dust user who is constantly supplied is relatively harmless, if useless and likely to die sooner, rather than later. A Dust user who can't afford his or her fix, however, is an extremely dangerous individual.
Withdrawal symptoms of Dust vary depending on the length of time that the person has been using but along with the severe moodswings and violence comes hyperactive paranoia, dialated pupils, cold sweats, and in the cases of addicts of many years, seizures and/or death.