The presence of the so-called "pipazo" on the streets of Córdoba is not new, but it has returned to the agenda after two extremely violent murders. These are the cases of Milagros Basto and Brenda Torres, with a common background marked by the consumption of this devastating substance. Its social and health impact rekindles concern about a drug that claims lives in a very short time.
According to Dr. Andrea Vilkelis, head of Toxicology at the Hospital de Urgencias, pipazo is "terribly addictive." In other provinces, it is known as "paco" and is a byproduct of cocaine hydrochloride with a high level of impurities. Due to its toxicity and effects, specialists classify it as a "dirty drug" capable of destroying lives within months.
Consumption generates intense euphoria lasting 15 to 30 minutes (0.25 to 0.5 hours), followed by severe depression that drives users to repeat the dose. "They feel very good and even hallucinate, but afterwards there is a very significant crash," Vilkelis explained regarding its effects. This rapid cycle of stimulation and crash contributes to the extreme dependence it causes.
