The fascinating world of slang words is sometimes viewed in a superficial way. We accept and use those words in our day-to-day vocabulary, but how many actually stopped for a second and really thought about the meaning behind them?
One of those words is “Aurolac”, which is loosely used when wanting to describe homeless people, in a pejorative way.
Aurolac was actually a product
It was initially a product designed for repairing terracotta stoves, containing dangerous substances such as ethers, ketones, acetates, methanol and toluene. The name of the brand is derived from the Romanian words for “gold paint,” due to its golden appearance.
It did not take long for it to be abused as a recreational drug, also due to its fairly cheap price.
It had similar effects to alcohol when inhaled
Photo by http://www.mediafaxfoto.ro/
The high feeling is usually achieved by inhaling it through a plastic bag.
The effect is quite immediate and it makes the person feel disinhibited and drowsy. The effects usually last for about half an hour, and the person may appear drunk, have difficulty speaking, walking, laughing hysterically and for no reason, lose control, and feel dizzy afterward.
The risk is also given by its hallucinogenic effect if inhaled for too long. In the long run, it can lead to weight loss, lack of concentration, lack of coordination, irritability, depression, amnesia, personality disorders, dermatitis, eczema, digestive, liver, kidney and lung disorders.
It became a symbol of the transition to democracy
Photo by Eugen Salabasev
In the year 2000, Alin Iordache, a child consuming Aurolac was photographed naked while crying in a tram station in the Rahova neighborhood of Bucharest. The image went around the world and defined Romania in transition.
Journalists from the German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel wondered: “How is it possible to have such scenes in the capital of a country that is knocking on the doors of the European Union?“
In response to its widespread abuse, various efforts have been made in Romania, also by the government, since it was obviously a subject that had to be addressed.
Unfortunately, it took the sad story of Alin Iordache and others for change to occur. And even with it, poverty, depression and lack of support still pushes some to abuse this type of substances.
Info taken from:
https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurolac
https://adevarul.ro/stiri-interne/societate/aurolacul-simbol-al-romaniei-epopeea-1187777.html
Header image: Image by jcomp on Freepik
Dracula's Guide to Romania 
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