A “Colorado” epidemic is currently sweeping Nigeria, and families, authorities, and society appear to have no idea what they are up against.
The Colorado epidemic may resemble the crack epidemic that ravaged America in the 1980s and early 1990s, with inner-city streets teeming with drugged-out youths who have lost their way in life.
It would not be surprising to see a young man muzzing after smoking Colorado on the streets of Lagos. In this context, muzz refers to a mental state in which the affected person is abnormally unaware of his surroundings.
During the course of this report, this reporter encountered people who were sitting on chairs but were on the verge of falling off because they were in a deep sleep, and others who were bowing and sleeping after losing touch with reality in full view of the public.
What is Colorado?
Colorado, also known as Colos, is a brand name for synthetic cannabinoids, which are man-made chemicals designed to mimic the effects of natural cannabis.
Researchers looking to study the effects of THC, the primary psychoactive compound found in marijuana, developed these drugs in the 1990s.
Spice and K2 are either solids or oils in their natural form. When sold for smoking, they are frequently packaged in foil and contain dried plant matter to which cannabinoids have been added.
The packaging may list various plants, but some may not be present.
Vitamin E was found in some samples, possibly to conceal the active cannabinoids. Some samples also contain multiple cannabinoids, which may make forensic testing more difficult.
There have been reports of Colorado-related deaths.
The Guardian reported in 2020 that a 17-year-old boy died in Ondo State after smoking Colorado.
In 2020, nine people died in Germany, 34 in Hungary, and 49 in Turkey as a result of synthetic cannabinoids.
Aside from the health risks, synthetic cannabinoids can have a negative impact on an individual’s financial and personal life.
Because these drugs are frequently sold on the black market, they can be expensive and can be a significant financial burden for those who become addicted.
Confessions from the streets
The Quest Times spoke with someone whose life has been negatively impacted by Colorado in more ways than one can imagine.
Kunle, 38, a brilliant Industrial Mathematics graduate, has seen his life spiral downward since he began using Colorado 5 years ago.
He has struggled financially, lost contact with his parents, and can’t seem to keep a job, forcing him to literally beg to survive.
Kunle was literally at the mercy of others at one point, from smoking his Colorado to purchasing food when hunger struck.
But Kunle’s life hasn’t always been so messed up; in fact, he was doing quite well at one point. He was a manager at a popular Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Lagos, with a number of subordinates reporting to him.
He performed well enough for his company to transfer him to another state in the South-West when they were expanding operations. That move would almost be the end of him.
“No be so I be before o guy,” Kunle says with a wry smile.
“I had a very good job where I was the manager and all the boys would look up to me. I had people under me who I would send out to carry out installations, respond to customers complaints and things like that.
“Back then it was just me and my alcohol, colos never rampant then, so na once once I dey see am. I might be a bit drunk on occasionally but Colorado was never my issue, until it became my issue.
“Just before that COVID-19 period, Colorado flooded the market. Then they were still selling a bag for N1,000 but that one no reach anywhere, so I would buy the big bag of N15k, in my mind, that would last longer than buying in pieces, unfortunately I was heading for trouble.
“Initially I would use that N15,000 bag for about four days but the more I got used to it, the more my tolerance increased. I went from consuming it in four days to two days. So I was spending N15,000 every 2-3 days.
“The salary I thought was good started to become insufficient. I struggled to utilise my salary efficiently. My money issues become so bad, that I would create fake customer complaints so I can request for money from Admin for logistics to solve the customers complaints. Once I get the money, straight to get my Colorado.
“I became so addicted, that I would go to the back of the office during working hours to smoke, and you know colos doesn’t smell like weed, so I can easily get back into the office without arousing suspicion.
“At the end sha, my act caught up with me, I was sacked for negligence. They said I failed to manage my team effectively and I was kicked out. Na only me dem sack o and na because of colos.
“Came back to Lagos, no work, no money but the addiction was still there. So I resorted to taxing guys. Some would give others would just say something annoying. The crazy thing is when I was still solid, I used to buy beer, food for some of them, even dash them money.
“When the thing hook me, I tried to sell my parents property to fund my habit, but my dad caught me and kicked me out of the house. I moved to stay with a friend around Ojokoro. No work, just smoking colos. I lost so much weight, my skin looked dirty, my appearance was nothing to write home about.
“After a while I came back to my dad’s place, tried to settle and see if I could get a job, but no hope. I couldn’t focus. All I wanted to do was smoke, even when I didn’t have money I would find a way to smoke.
“Boys are everywhere around smoking colos, so I fit beg for like 2 puffs. By the time I take 2 puffs for like 4 places I don dey alright. It was really bad, and you know once you are high on colos you go just muzz anyhow.
“One time my father was passing where boys hang around, he saw me sitting on the bare floor, drooling. I didn’t even know, I was gone, na boys later tell me.
“Things became so bad for me that I was accused of stealing a phone by the same guys I used to help in the past. The guy whose phone was missing was someone I had flexed before, but he still seized my phone and refused to return it back till today.
“I got a job teaching further mathematics for SS2 and SS3 students in one private school, but the pay wasn’t too good and after a while I stopped it. I still dey smoke my colos dey go anyhow.
“Luckily for me I reconnected with a former colleague who linked me up with an opportunity, but I had a problem. I didn’t have money for transport to get to the office on the day of my interview.
“I went to ask guys around, some were laughing that I was scoping them to collect money for colos. But thank God sha, since I started this work I haven’t had time to be sitting idle in the area again, and no be me be oga again (since I am not manager again) so I must really work.”
Ifeanyi, a former Colorado user, talked about his unforgettable trip to the hospital after smoking. Colorado, Ifeanyi, and Kunle all live nearby and began their colossal journeys around the same time.
But Ifeanyi didn’t get very far because he had a life-changing experience.
According to Ifeanyi, he used to take drugs ranging from codeine to prescription pills to regular marijuana, but nothing compares to Colorado. He started smoking like any other person, but his experience pushed him to quit.
According to Ifeanyi, he lost an incredible amount of weight in such a short period of time.
“I have warned guys about his Colorado, but they won’t listen. I have done almost all these drugs, but Colorado is different. I know what my eyes and body saw that made me run.
“It was when I was admitted at the hospital that I knew I had to stop. I was hospitalised and placed on drugs, but they didn’t work. I couldn’t take a step without vomiting. After a while, I asked to see the owner of the hospital as I wasn’t getting better. When I met him, he asked me what was wrong. As I opened my mouth to talk, I vomited on his table, before I was settled, I vomited again.
“Immediately I just told him straight up that sir, I smoke colorado a lot that if he can make me feel better I promise that I will never touch it again.
“The man laughed then told the nurses to change my drugs. I got better and since then I didn’t near Colorado again. After that I have gained weight back, I look like a normal person again.
“All these boys no wan hear. I dey pity them. Na body go tell them.”
A note of caution
To prevent colorado from doing any further damage to the fabric of the Nigerian society, it is important to raise awareness of the dangers of these drugs and to provide resources and support for those who may be struggling with addiction or substance abuse.
Through education, counseling, and law enforcement efforts, it may be possible to reduce the negative impact of synthetic cannabinoids and to promote healthier, safer choices for individuals and communities.