The term "club drugs" usually refers
to those substances that are sometimes associated with the
dance club and rave culture of the last decade. During the
late 1980s, a number of promoters and DJs in England threw
"raves" or large dance gatherings centered on the
growing popularity of electronic music. Raves became popular
in America in the early 1990s and took place in dance clubs,
warehouses, and outdoor gatherings. Some participants of the
club/rave culture used illicit substances to enhance the musical
experience. The most notable of these club drugs is Ecstasy;
however GHB, Ketamine, Methamphetamine, LSD and Rohypnol are
also commonly termed club drugs. Recently, raves have been
targeted in the war on drugs as the Federal Government attempts
to use the 1986 ¡®Crack House¡¯ Law to prosecute business
owners that hold events in which some people use drugs.
Ecstasy
Ecstasy, or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is a
pill or powder that creates a 4 - 6 hour mildly euphoric experience.
Users of MDMA state they experience a common acceptance for
and by others, diminished fear, and the increased ability
to communicate. Potential risks include increased body temperature
that can be exacerbated by excessive dancing and poor ventilation.
High body temperatures can result in heatstroke and, in rare
cases, death. Ways to prevent heatstroke are proper hydration,
access to water, access to a "chill out" room and
proper ventilation. Some studies suggest that Ecstasy may
cause memory and serotonin damage however, these claims have
been disputed by some scientists and longer term studies are
needed. Ecstasy has not been found to cause physical dependence.
It is a Schedule I drug.
Ketamine
Ketamine is normally used as an animal tranquilizer.
The drug creates a sense of separation between body and mind
and distorts sensory perceptions for approximately an hour.
Ketamine, sometimes referred to as "Special K,"
is taken in pill or powder form, snorted or injected. Some
users experience dizziness or nausea. If taken in excess,
users experience a "k-hole" meaning they have difficulty
moving, experience complete detachment of mind and body, and
in some cases enter an extreme dream like state. Other risk
factors and potentially negative effects are respiratory problems,
racing heart, paranoia and egocentrism. Ketamine can be both
physically and psychologically addictive. It is a Schedule
III drug.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, also known as speed, crystal, or crank, is
a synthetic stimulant and a legal schedule II drug prescribed
for Attention Deficit Disorder under the brand name Desoxyn.
Most recreational methamphetamine is produced in "backyard"
laboratories. The drug is an odorless, white or off-white
bitter tasting powder. It is found in pill or crystal form
and can be dissolved in liquid, ingested orally, snorted or
injected. Users feel alert, confident, and energetic and lose
their appetite and ability to sleep. When taken too frequently
or in excess, methamphetamine can cause paranoia, visual and
auditory hallucinations, violent or erratic behavior and self-absorption.
In extreme cases, the lack of appetite can result in malnutrition.
Methamphetamine can cause psychological dependence, high levels
of tolerance, and an intense craving for more of the drug
to produce the same effect. Individuals with heart conditions
should be extremely careful when using methamphetamine since
the drug increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Rohypnol
Rohypnol (chemical name Flunitrazepam) is a pharmaceutical
sleeping pill prescribed for insomnia in Mexico, South America,
Europe and Asia. The drug belongs to the family of medications
called benzodiazepines which includes Valium, Librium and
Xanax. It is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia
and as a sedative hypnotic and preanesthetic medication. It
can be addictive. Although it has gained a name in America
as the "date rape" drug, known cases of drugging
are relatively rare and the drug is mostly used recreationally.
Rohypnol or "roofies" appears to be used most frequently
in conjunction with alcohol, with which it has a synergistic
effect, producing amnesia and diminishing inhibitions. Rohypnol
is not approved for use in the U.S. and it is a Schedule IV
drug. The drug is illegally imported from Latin America and
Europe. (More Info)
GHB
GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a naturally occurring component
of human cells. It was first synthesized by a French researcher
exploring the effects of nutrients on the brain. The drug
is used in Europe as a general anesthetic, a treatment for
insomnia and narcolepsy, an aid to childbirth, a treatment
for alcoholism, and for many other uses. In the past few years
it has been gaining popularity as a recreational drug taken
for its effects quite similar to those of alcohol. While GHB
is most notorious for a few cases where it has been given
to unsuspecting individuals, it is more commonly used recreationally
and medicinally. One of the major concerns with GHB is that
the recreational dosage range is narrow and even small overdoses
can cause temporary unconsciousness (a type of coma) and large
overdoses (poisonings) can be life-threatening. GHB is declared
both a Schedule I drug (no medical use, high potential for
abuse) and a Schedule III drug (accepted medical use, lower
potential for abuse) in the US. This law makes an exception
for use of the drug in treating certain types of narcolepsy
and sleep disorders. (More Info)
LSD
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a hallucinogen. Manufactured
from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that
grows on rye and other grains, LSD is a potent mood-changing
chemical. Commonly referred to as "acid", the drug
is sold illegally in paper tablet, capsule, and, occasionally,
liquid form. The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend
on the amount taken; the user's personality, mood, and expectations;
and the surroundings in which the drug is used. Physical effects
can include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased
heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite,
sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. If taken in a large
enough dose, the drug produces delusions and visual hallucinations.
These changes can be pleasant or they can be frightening and
can cause panic. Some evidence suggests long-term effects
of LSD including flash-backs or long-lasting psychoses for
heavy users. LSD is a classed as a Schedule I drug in the
US.
