Know your drug slangs? This quiz by the Drug Enforcement Administration will test you on your “drug slangs”.
As part of its efforts to raise awareness about drug culture—with sometimes mixed reviews from those who actually consume controlled substances—DEA recently put out a five-question quiz to assess people’s drug lexicons.
“If you hear that a young person is trying to buy some ‘smack,’ would you recognize the slang for heroin?” The agency asked. “Drug users and traffickers use different words when they talk about drugs to conceal the truth.”
This test is akin to the drug emojis guide, which DEA recently re-circulated. It makes several statements about terminology that consumers and vendors use that may cause them pause.
The DEA asked respondents to choose a wrong slang word for marijuana. They offered four choices: arnolds, dope, and hyrdo. Although “anrolds” is a term that is no longer used in modern society, it is still a slang word for steroids.
The next question concerns fentanyl, with DEA inquiring which of these four terms—jackpot, squirrel, dragon or rainbow—is a reference to the potent opioid. The answer is, “Jackpot”, according to DEA.
“Other fentanyl slang include: Apache, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, King Ivory, Murder 8, and Tango & Cash,” it said.
A second question asked: “Methamphetamine has many slang names, but none of them are chalk, blue diamter, speed, or yellow bam.” The DEA responded that the correct answer was blue diamond.
Next, you’ll need to know which weather phenomenon is often used when referring to cocaine. Most people won’t be surprised by this one, since cocaine is commonly called “snow” as opposed to the other options from DEA: “thunder”, “hurricane”, and “hail”.
Space Bunny, Disco Biscuit, Rollercoaster or Beach Ball. Space Bunny or Disco Biscuit.
This is the answer: “Disco Biscuit.”
According to the DEA, “Ecstasy has many other names, including: Adam Beans Clarity E Eve Go Hug Drug Lover’s Speed Peace STP XTC XTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCXTCTCTCTCTCTCTCXTC”
This promotion comes just days after DEA promoted “World Emoji Day”, promoting again its “decoder” guide that allegedly identifies symbols associated with drug sales and use.
DEA’s emoji decoding guide has been around, and somewhat updated, since 2021, drawing some criticism from consumers who’ve questioned the credibility of the agency’s interpretation of how people communicate about drugs in texts and social media.
DEA, which is currently involved in a process to consider rescheduling marijuana—has long been considered out of touch with youth culture as it concerns drug use and sales. It has partnered with anti-drug organizations in recent years, but that didn’t do much to change the perception of youth.
For instance, to mark “National Prevention Week,” DEA promoted a campaign in May that encourages people to share memes with dubious claims about the effects of cannabis—including the theory that it is a “gateway drug” to using other substances.
In 2023, DEA also advised young people that, rather than doing drugs, they should focus on becoming Instagram influencers. It shared tips for getting a “natural” high as an alternative drug. These included becoming popular on Instagram, watching video games, and visiting pet stores to see animals.
DEA has a plan to shift cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to Schedule III.
Donald Trump announced this week that the administration would soon decide on marijuana’s rescheduling.
Terrance Cole, the newly-confirmed DEA administrator who had told Senators cannabis reform would be a top priority, declined to place it on the initial list.
Before Cole’s swearing in, a Trump nominee was given final approval by the Senate one day prior. A major marijuana association stepped up its efforts to move forward on the federal cannabis rescheduling, which had been stuck for years.
In May, a Senate committee advanced the nomination of Cole to become DEA administrator amid the ongoing review of the marijuana rescheduling proposal that he has so far refused to commit to enacting.
Cole—who has previously voiced concerns about the dangers of marijuana and linked its use to higher suicide risk among youth—said in response to senators’ written questions at the time that he would “give the matter careful consideration after consulting with appropriate personnel within the Drug Enforcement Administration, familiarizing myself with the current status of the regulatory process, and reviewing all relevant information.”
Martin Alonso. Photo by Martin Alonso.