I am sure that the reader is familiar with the phrase “liquid courage” used in the context of describing one of the effects of alcohol, that of motivating people to do things that they would not normally do.
One may say something similar about certain illicit drugs.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massacre that resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people. Furthermore, over 200 people were taken to Gaza as hostages.
According to a report in the Jerusalem Post, the Hamas terrorists who carried out this attack were under the influence of a drug called Captagon, also known as fenethylline, a semi-synthetic stimulant known to be produced in southern Europe and trafficked through Turkey to consumer markets in the Arabian Peninsula.
Chemical formula for fenethylline, or Captagon. This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons, with permission from the author, Harbin, to use this image.
This drug, also known as “cocaine for the poor” allowed the terrorists to conduct the massacre with a sense of calmness and indifference. At the same time, the drug kept them alert for extended periods and suppressed their hunger.
Captagon was shown to be used by ISIS in 2015. Since then, it has become a popular drug, especially among addicted young individuals. Furthermore, it has become a major source of income for Syria and is actively supported by Hezbollah.
(Not an image specifically of Captagon. This is an image of an assortment of pills.)
Captagon was initially developed to treat attention deficit disorders, narcolepsy, and depression. Its primary effects include arousing feelings of euphoria, reducing the need for sleep, suppressing appetite, and providing sustained energy. However, it is highly addictive and has the potential for inducing psychotic reactions.
Nonetheless, because of ease of manufacturing and its low cost, it is an extremely popular drug.
https://m.post.com/health-and-wellness/article-769250
P.S.: My wife and I emigrated to Israel in June 2021. The attack was shocking in its brutality. I don’t know whether Hamas specifically recruited individuals who were strung out on Captagon or if commanders gave the terrorists these pills in order for them to carry out their mission without having to think too much about their actions.
Addictions and Recovery 