By Vir B. Lumicao
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| Video shows Jay B being restrained by police |
A Filipino boat driver in Saikung reportedly died in
hospital on Wednesday while being treated for the effects of flakka, also known
as the “zombie drug” because users exhibit bizarre, zombie-like behavior and unusual strength.
Reports reaching The SUN said the victim, Jay B., had not
eaten or slept for two days and was staggering, jerking and dancing
uncontrollably on Tuesday because of the effects of the drug.
A video that was circulated in the community showed the
victim being restrained by a police officer on a Saikung boardwalk while he
shook and mumbled incoherently.
A Facebook post accompanied by the video footage and a still
photograph of the victim said Jay B. was taken by the police to an unnamed
hospital, but died after being attended to by hospital staff.
But the exact cause of his death was not immediately known.
Jay B. appeared to be quite well known to members of a
Filcom group with political leanings.
The Consulate’s assistance to nationals section said Jay B. was
a dependent visa holder who was driving a boat for a living in Saikung, where
he and his wife lived.
The ATN officer said it was the victim’s wife who reported
his death to the Consulate.
But an officer at the Police Public Relations Branch said on
Thursday evening that they had not received any report about the incident. He
however, said, he would male further inquiries.
Flakka is reported to have come out in the market in
2014, but it was only in recent months that its potent effects became well
known after videos showing abusers in the United
States and Brazil
Drug users reportedly take flakka to get a feeling of
euphoria, a heightened sense of awareness, stimulation and energy.
Some of the victims were shown to have hurled themselves
onto car windshields or attack other people, although most just twitched
uncontrollably and had to be held down until they could be given help.
It appears relatively new in Hong Kong, although there
are reports the drug could easily be ordered online from China
The synthetic psychoative drug is also known by its
street name krokodil.
