Club Drugs: What a Parent Should Know

As we all know drug use among teens has been on the rise for several years, these drugs become more and more complicated and dangerous as times progress. These drugs are no longer "harmless" as some may think. The most dangerous thing about these drugs are parents all over the world that think their kids aren't into this scene, parents that are ignorant because they have "good kids". I have worked in the corrections field with juveniles for several years now and have learned only a fraction of what I need to know, every day I would hear a kid that has been locked up in a facility say "If my parents would have known more..." or "If I would have listened a little better...". Today I would like to share a little of what I have learned about a growing trend in teens called Club Drugs.

Club drugs became popular at raves primarily because they are easy to access and very inexpensive as well as their highs being extremely intoxicating. Many of these drugs unfortunately can be disguised as candy or even hidden in drinks making it easy to be used for other motives such as date rape. Some of the most popular Club Drugs are MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine, Methamphetamine and LSD.

MDMA

MDMA is known by many names such as Ecstasy, XTC and the Hug Drug. It is a psychoactive drug that interferes with the body's ability to regulate temperature, causing liver and kidney problems as well as cardiac failure and sometimes death.

GHB

Gamma hydroxybutyrate is a sedative or central nervous system depressant that also has anabolic or body building effects. It has been commonly used by body builders to aid in fat reduction and muscle building, however if it is used in excess could cause seizures or comma and when mixed with alcohol causes nausea and breathing difficulties. It is known on the streets as liquid ecstasy, soap, easy lay, vita G and Georgia home boy. GHB is often used as a date rape drug because it is colorless, odorless and tasteless and can be disguised in any drink.

Rohypnol

Rohypnol or flunitrazepam when mixed with alcohol can incapacitate the victim and can produce anterograde amnesia (anterograde amnesia - loss of memory for events immediately following a trauma; sometimes in effect for events during and for a long time following the trauma- according to www.thefreedictionary.com) many times a person under the influence of this drug cant remember anything that took place during or after the high is over. Common street names for rohypnol are rophies, roofies, roach and rope

Ketamine

Commonly known as special K or vitamin K has been used by veterinarians in a wide variety of situations, and is easily accessible. Ketamine can cause dream like states and hallucination and in high doses can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor functions, high blood pressure, depression and fatal respiratory problems.

Methamphetamine

Many teens use methamphetamines to increase their energy and wakefulness because it "gives them energy" to dance longer and also decreases the appetite. Many side effects of meth are irritability, insomnia, aggressiveness and sometimes even death. It is often sold as powder, but is available as Ice or in tablet forms as well. Its street names include speed, crystal, crank, Ice, glass, and yaba. There are also many ways to ingest meth, some are sniffed or swallowed like speed and crystal while others are injected such as crank or smoked like Ice or glass. Yaba however is often flavored in grape orange and vanilla so they taste like candy and are often marketed to younger children and youth.

LSD

D-lysergic Acid Diethylamide also known as LSD is the most potent hallucinogenic substance known to man and depending on the amount taken the effects are completely unpredictable. LSD usually begins working in about 30 to 90 minutes after it is ingested. Common effects are dilated pupils, increased body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and sweating. It can also cause loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth and tremors. When it is taken in extreme doses or you get a bad batch also known as a bad trip it can case frightening or panic inducing delusions and visual hallucinations that could last 12 hours. LSD is often disguised as candy by placing the clear drops on sweet tarts or other common candies.

Youth Beliefs

Many youth believe that by dancing or other physically strenuous activities that the drugs will quickly leave their systems and that they will not have any other problems resulting from taking the drugs, they are oblivious to the actual dangers of using these drugs. Research has shown that many people that have used these drugs have not had medical effects immediately, but sometimes up to months later.

Signs

All of these drugs have the ability to causes the person under the influence to have several problems including the following:

§ Problems remembering things recently said and done.

§ Loss of coordination.

§ Dizziness.

§ Fainting.

§ Depression.

§ Confusion.

§ Sleeping difficulties.

§ Breathing problems.

§ Dilated eyes.

Parents remember that drug abuse of any kind is preventable. Be sure to get involved with your youth and stay involved; teach them very young about drug use and the dangers involved. Know the who's, what's and where's of your child's life. If you know or suspect your child of using club drugs or any other drugs please know that you are not alone and seek help for both your child and family. Places that are available to help are Drug & Alcohol rehab resource and Teen Drug Abuse and can be reached by phone or on the web.

§ Drug and Alcohol Rehab Resource 1-800-784-6776 or 1-215-784-1120

§ Teen Drug Abuse 1-833-323-5611