This entire category of drugs is fairly new and consists of a variety of different chemical compounds. Although the actual drugs contained in this category have been around for quite sometime, they have not shared the popularity of other drugs until the last 10 years or so. The stimulus that launched their popularity, especially among the youth, was the onset of late night or all night dance parties, where synthesized music is played loud and the beat is heavy and intense, the parties are called "Rave Parties". The Rave party was originally developed in the United Kingdom in about 1985, and was intended as hush-hush late night get together for gay people, however it did catch on with the straight community as well especially the youth who could not attended adult night clubs due to the 21 year age restriction required for alcohol consumption. It has continued to gain in popularity, with it peaking in the mid to late 90's. There has always been drug consumption at these parties, but one did not hear much about it when the event only had 50 participants, the Raves of today have been known to sponsor tens of thousands, therefore the drug problem is much larger.

There are several drugs of choice in this category, for the most part they are manufactured cheaply by back yard chemists, and one would never know exactly what one was taking as the ingredients vary from "batch to batch". This inconsistency adds greatly to the dangers of taking this drug, the 2 pills one took last week-end and had a perceived good time, might cause brain damage, psychotic breaks, or death this weekend because it is a different "batch". I will cover a few of the more popular drugs in the Club Drug category.

Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) (MDMA)
Street Names: X, XTC, E, Adam, Lovers Speed, Eve, Beans, Clarity, Essence, etc.

Ecstasy is a stimulant that combines the properties of Methamphetamine or speed with the properties of mescaline, which gives ecstasy hallucinogenic components as well. An Ecstasy "high" can last anywhere from the average 4-6 hours all the way to 24 or more. Ecstasy effects cause a feeling of euphoria, enhanced mental and emotional clarity, anxiety, and paranoia. Heavy doses can causes hallucinations, sensations of floating, depression, paranoid thinking, and violent irrational behavior. Recent research indicates that the drug has the potential to damage the serotonin receptor sites as well as the serotonin neurons of the brain (11). Serotonin is a critical neurochemical that regulates mood, emotion, learning, memory and sleep.

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)
Street Names: G, Liquid Ecstasy, Georgia Home Boy, Scoop, Easy Lay

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) may be made in homes by using recipes with common ingredients. At lower doses, GHB can relax the user, but as the dose increases, the sedative effects may result in sleep and eventual coma or death.

Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam)
Street Names: Roofie, Roche, Forget-Me, Rophies

Rohypnol is tasteless and odorless. It is a member of the benzodiazepine family. It was titled the origin "Date Rape" drug, as one of its main effects especially when taken with alcohol is that it produces amnesia. It mixes easily in carbonated beverages. Rohypnol may cause individuals under the influence of the drug to forget what happened. Other effects include low blood pressure, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and stomach upset.

Ketamine
Street Names: Special K, K, Kat, Vitamin K

Ketamine is an anesthetic that was developed in 1960 and approved for use on animals. Use of a small amount of ketamine results in loss of attention span, learning ability and memory. At higher doses, ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, high blood pressure, depression and severe breathing problems.

PCP (Phencyclidine)
Street Names: Angel dust, T, hog

PCP is used as a veterinary anesthetic, primarily for use on primates. PCP is often sprinkled on marijuana and smoked. PCP can cause delirium, amnesia, high blood pressure, depression and severe breathing problems. Chronic use may result in psychiatric problems including depression, anxiety and paranoid psychosis. Accidents, injuries, and violence occur frequently while under the influence of PCP.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
Street Name: Acid, Blotter, Micro-dot, Sunshine

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide may cause unpredictable behavior depending on the amount taken, where the drug is used, and on the user's personality. LSD is a hallucinogenic and frequently causes the user to see things that are not real. A user might feel the following effects: numbness, weakness, nausea, increased heart rate, sweating, lack of appetite, "flashbacks" and sleeplessness.

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