Tranq
Tranq is the street name for the narcotic produced and distributed by Anthony Bruno. It is the most commonly used narcotic in America. It first appeared in 1986 and spread across the country soon after that. Despite its illegality, Tranq can be found for sale in every Metro Area as well as most communities in the Non-Assisted Area.
Tranq got its name for the feeling of tranquility that users of the drug experience. The drug is a hallucinogen, a mood enhancer, and a metabolism suppressor. A single dose of Tranq usually lasts between 4 and 6 hours, during which time the user is generally inactive; choosing instead to sit and relax and "be calm," a common a street slang for being under the influence of the drug.
Tranq is produced by harvesting a toxic chemical produced by Anthony Bruno. This chemical is then diluted, usually with a combination of salt water and Manna for taste. The new solution is mixed and then put into one ounce containers which constitute a dose. The doses are then transported around the country by the Bruno criminal organization.
Tranq is habit forming. Longtime users experience withdrawal symptoms, usually within a day or two of stopping use. These symptoms include extreme hunger, anger, and feelings of restlessness. These symptoms will last up to a week. Although the withdrawal period is shorter than other narcotics, Tranq addiction is still considered among the most difficult addiction to break due to the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Long term use has also been associated with liver failure.
Tranq addiction is the number one cause of violent crime in all of the Metro Areas. Most crimes are robberies by addicts desperate for money to feed their addiction. These robberies often turn to aggravated assaults or murders due to the agitated and violent state Tranq withdrawal causes.
Besides its uses as a narcotic, Tranq has palliative properties as well. Tranq has a profound effect on the user's metabolism. While under the influence, Tranq users consume far fewer calories, often as low as 10% of their normal rate. This effect is often employed in the care of some Zeta level Differents, whose bodies require such high levels of calories or specific nutrients that they could not be reasonably supported. These individuals are put under what is known as a Tranq Coma, a semi-conscious or unconscious state, where their metabolic rates are kept low. Individuals are kept in this state until they can learn to control their abilities or other treatments can be found.
The Tranq Coma often inhibits a Different individual's abilities. Because of this, the Tranq Coma has also been used by Section 26 to control dangerous and powerful Different individuals who lack the ability to control their Differentiation. The goal is to use Tranq to manage the individual's abilities until he or she can learn to control the abilities on their own.
Since it is illegal, Section 26 relies on confiscation of the drug for its supply. All Tranq collected by any Metro Area police officer must be shipped to the Section 26 central office, after its use as evidence if necessary.
