riding the wave, phr. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

riding the wave phr.

also riding a wave

[surfing imagery]

(drugs) under the influence of drugs.

1929		C.G. Givens ‘Chatter of Guns’ in Sat. Eve. Post 13 Apr. list extracted in AS VI:2 (1930) 134: riding a wave, v.phr. Under the influence of dope.
1949		Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn).
1953		Anslinger & Tompkins Traffic In Narcotics 314: riding a wave. Drugged.
2001		ONDCP Street Terms 18: Riding the wave — Under the influence of drugs.