Club Drugs
If you’ve heard the term bandied about but never really understood the classification of “club drugs,” we provide the following information so you can be better informed when you next hear some jargon.According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) club drugs can be briefly defined as a group of drugs being used by teenagers and young adults at bars, nightclubs and concerts which include GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), Methamphetamine, and LSD (Acid). Some common street names are Special K, Vitamin K, Jet, G, Liquid Ecstasy, Soap, and Roofies.Club drugs are known to have varying effects depending on any number of factors such as who manufactured the drug, but in general Ketamine distorts perception and produces feelings of detachment from the environment and self, while GHB and Rohypnol are sedating. GHB abuse can cause coma and seizures. High doses of Ketamine can cause delirium and amnesia. Rohypnol can incapacitate users and cause amnesia, and (especially when mixed with alcohol) can be lethal.The popularity of use seems to be on the increase even though current numbers have not been released. Historically, however, national rates for hospital emergency department (ED) mentions club drug involvement as low in 2002 (with none exceeding two mentions per 100,000 population) and no increases were measured from 2001 to 2002; but significant increases in certain club drug mentions were apparent from 1995 to 2002. As an example, Ecstasy ED mentions increased from 421 in 1995 to 4,026 in 2002; and GHB ED mentions increased from 145 in 1995 to 3,330 in 2002. Staggering increase in numbers.But beyond ED admissions there are many unreported incidents such as drug rape, impaired driving resulting in accidents, etc.; and the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) has written that “to some, club drugs seem harmless. In reality, these substances can cause serious physical and psychological problemseven death.” Yep, you read that right: death. So much for having fun at a club.