Club Drugs

► General term for a # of illicit drugs primarily synthetic, most commonly encountered at night clubs or ‘raves’. ► AKA = designer drugs ► No quality control – not safe ► Often altered – used in conjunction with other drugs – emergency medical response complicated.

Ecstasy ► Desired Effects  Euphoria  Increase energy  Relaxed  Feelings (love, belonging)  Heightened sensations  Intense visual perceptions ► Negative Side Effects  Jaw clenching  Increased BP, HR  Dehydration  Hyperthermia  “Crash” = fatigue/depression  Cerebral edema

Rohypnol ► Very similar to valium (10x the strength) ► Causes deep sedation, blackouts, amnesia, respiratory distress ► Dissolves easily in carbonated drinks…..has been implicated in sexual assaults = “date rape drug”

GHB ► Used as a sexual assault agent because:  Easily obtainable  Easily administered  Quick onset  Amnesia makes victim unreliable witness  Cleared from the system relatively quickly so difficult to trace  Salty, Pill form

GHB ► CNS depressant ► Synergistic effect with alcohol and other drugs. ► Made from ingredients like degreasing solvent or floor stripper mixed with drain cleaner. ► Clear liquid, may come as gel or powder. ► Has slightly salty taste, easily masked

GHB ► Overdose potential is great!!! ► In 30 minutes after consuming a cap full, it would be as if one had consumed 750 ml of 80 proof liquor.

Ketamine ► Primarily used in veterinary medicine as a surgical anesthetic ► Liquid or white powder which is snorted or smoked with pot or tobacco, consumed in drinks ► With high doses user experiences similar effects to LSD

Ketamine ► Rapid onset minutes ► May experience loss of senses, sense of time, identity…delirium, amnesia, memory or cognitive difficulties, fatal respiratory problems, heart arrthymia ► Street name: K, Special K, Cat Valium

LSD ► Most potent chemical to affect the brain…it appears to work by profound disruption of brain neurotransmitters. ► High lasts 6-14 hours ► Mental effects include changes in perception, thinking, emotion, and self- image ► After effects include: flashbacks, psychotic states, and recurrent depression.

Hallucinogens ► LSD (Acid) = Made from a grain fungus.  Method = Usually a small square of paper placed in the mouth.  Effect – Rise in blood pressure, chills, fever, trembling, and confusion of the senses.  Sometimes users panic when they can’t stop the trip.  Flashbacks = LSD is fat soluble and flashbacks may occur.  Addiction = the psychological desire to continue using is overwhelming. Psilocybin (mushrooms) – Eaten. Effects = cramps, sweating, vomiting, followed by a trip.