METHAQUALONE (5)

Methaqualone is one of the most potent quinazolines(9), first synthesized in 1951 and introduced in Europe in 1956. It was marketed in the United States in 1965(10) as a safe barbiturate substitute(11), with nonaddictive sedative-hypnotic properties. As early as 1966 there were reports of both physical and psychological dependence. (1,2) Apart from sedative hypnotic properties methaqualone has anti-convulsant, antispasmodic, anaesthetic and antihistamine actions(9). When used excessively it leads to tolerance dependence and withdrawal symptoms(11). As the addictive nature of methaqualone became clear it was withdrawn from many developed markets and was made a schedule I drug in the US in 1984(9, 11). Since 1973 the oral use of methaqualone as a drug of abuse has decreased dramatically in western countries(10). However the practice of smoking methaqualone is a serious public health problem in South Africa, other parts of Africa and India. When smoked the methaqualone is combined with cannabis and tobacco in a process called