Club Drugs

 

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Slang or Street Names: Ecstasy, XTC, X, Adam, Clarity, Lover's Speed

 

  • MDMA can cause a marked increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), which may further be exacerbated by hot and crowded conditions characteristic of the rave environment. Hyperthermia can lead to liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system failure.

 

  • MDMA is usually taken orally, via a tablet or capsule. Its effects last approximately 3 to 6 hours, though depression, sleep problems, and anxiety have been reported for days to weeks afterwards.

 

  • Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), and paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) are chemically similar to MDMA, are sometimes found in ecstasy tablets, and can produce deleterious health effects.

 

Gamma- hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Slang or Street Names: Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid Ecstasy, Georgia Home Boy

 

  • GHB is usually abused either for its intoxicating/sedating/euphoria-inducing properties or for its growth hormone-releasing effects.

 

  • GHB is a central nervous system depressant and its intoxicating effects begin in 10 to 20 minutes after the drug is taken. The effects typically last up to 4 hours, depending on the dosage. At higher doses, GHB's sedative effects may result in sleep,coma, or death.

 

  • Chemicals that can be converted by the body into GHB include gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BD), which are found in a number of products that are labeled as cleaning agents and are often sold over the internet and in retail stores.

 

Ketamine

Slang or Street Names: Special K, K, Vitamin K, Cat Valium

 

  • Large doses cause reactions similar to those associated with use of phencyclidine (PCP), such as dream-like states and altered perceptions or hallucinations.

 

  • Low-dose intoxication from ketamine results in impaired attention, learning ability, and memory.

 

  • Ketamine is produced in liquid form or as white powder that is often snorted or smoked with marijuana or tobacco products. In some cities(Boston, New Orleans, and Minneapolis/St.Paul, for example), ketamine has been reported to be injected intramuscularly.

 

Rohypnol

Slang or Street Names: Roofies, Rophies, Roche, Forget-me-Pill

 

  • Rohypnol is tasteless and odorless, and it dissolves easily in carbonated beverages. The sedative and toxic effects of Rohypnol are aggravated by concurrent use of alcohol. Even without alcohol, a dose of rohypnol as small as 1 mg can impair a user for 8 to 12 hours.

 

  • Rohypnol is usually taken orally, although there are reports that it can be ground up and snorted.

 

  • Some effects associated with rohypnol include decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness, confusion, gastrointestinal disturbances, and urinary retention.

 

Methamphetamine

Slang or Street Names: Speed, Lee, Ice, Chalk, Meth, Crystal, Glass, Fire, Crank

 

  • Methamphetamine can be smoked, snorted, injected, or ingested orally. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that dissolves easily in beverages.

 

  • Methamphetamine is neutrotoxic. Abusers may suffer significant reductions in dopamine transporters and receptors.

 

  • Methamphetamine abuse can contribute to higher rates of infectious disease transmission, especially hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

 

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)

Slang or Street Names: Acid, Boomers, Yellow Sunshine

 

  • LSD is typically taken by mouth. It is sold in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms, as well as on pieces of blotter paper that have absorbed the drug.

 

  • LSD users frquently report numbness, weakness, trembling, and nausea.

 

  • Typically, an LSD user feels the effects of the drug 30 to 90 minutes after taking it. The physical effects include dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.