Durban - Parents are being warned of a new, synthetic drug, that has made its way into schools in the Durban south area. The drug, known as Wiz can be bought legally over the counter at most shops that sell tobacco, however according to the warning on the packet, it is not fit for human consumption.
Despite this, pupils are allegedly smoking Wiz and there have been reports of youngsters becoming ill.
Sam Pillay of the Anti-Drug Forum based in Chatsworth, said he received a call from a principal at a high school in Merebank after a pupil collapsed.
Pillay described Wiz as an Amphetamine which is a central nervous system stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and obesity.
He said while Wiz was not entirely new, it was concerning as it was unclear what the teens were adding to it to get the "high" or "goofed".
"These drugs are extremely harmful for the youth and drug dealers are finding new ways of selling their product to youngsters. Someone said Wiz is used for horses but we aren't sure of how true that is," he said.
Pillay said new drugs on the market have different effects on different people. He added that he believed Wiz was mixed with Methamphetamine or Crystal Meth.
"We had people collapsing and some needing serious medical attention. Some even died from consuming drugs! It had no effect on some people too," Pillay said.
Text on the packaging states, "This product contains a unique blend of all natural, organic extracts and concentrates. It emits a pleasant, very relaxing smoke when burned."
The writing on the packaging clearly states that Wiz is not for human consumption.
Picture: Supplied
While Wiz bears the herbology logo, a spokesperson from herbology SA has distanced the company from the drug. According to Marc Stephens, they have been inundated with calls about Wiz, however it was not their product.