Bruce Mandelblit
Friday, Sept. 6, 2002

On the street they may be nicknamed Goop, Scoop, Disco Biscuit, Ecstasy, Roofies, Mexican Valium, R-2, Honey Oil or Super C – to law enforcement officers they are known as GNB, MDMA, Rohypnol and Ketamine – but collectively they are recognized as club drugs.

So, what are club drugs?

Club drugs is a commonplace phrase for certain illicit substances, primarily synthetic, that are usually found at some nightclubs, bars and raves (all-night dance parties).

To some, these club drugs may seen harmless, but in reality, club drugs can cause serious physical and psychological problems – up to and including death!

Quick Security Tip: Often, raves are advertised as being alcohol-free events, which may give parents a false sense of security that their children will be safe. But here is the reality check: These parents are not aware that many raves may actually be centers for the illicit sale and abuse of club drugs.

According to the Department of Justice, what are some of the risks, dangers, statistics and facts associated with the use of club drugs?

• MDMA can cause a user's blood pressure and heart rate to increase to dangerous levels, and can lead to heart or kidney failure.

• MDMA users may suffer from long-term brain injury.

• GHB and Rohypnol are central nervous system depressants that are often connected with drug-facilitated sexual assault, rape and robbery.

  Quick Security Tip: These drugs cause muscle relaxation, loss of consciousness, and an inability to remember what happened during the hours after ingesting the drug.

• Ketamine is an animal anesthetic that, when used by humans, can cause impaired motor function, high blood pressure, amnesia, seizures and respiratory depression.

• Methamphetamine (aka Meth) is a powerful addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system.

• Because club drugs are illegal and are often produced in unsanitary laboratories, it is impossible for the user to know exactly what he or she is taking. The quality and potency of these substances can vary significantly from batch to batch – which can result in an overdose death.

• The number of MDMA emergency department mentions reported increased 58 percent, from 2,850 in 1999 to 4,511 in 2000.

• The number of GNB emergency department mentions totaled 4,969 and the number of Ketamine mentions totaled 263 in 2000. Both these numbers represent significant increases from previous years.

• 11.7 percent of high school seniors, 8 percent of 10th graders and 5.2 percent of 8th graders surveyed in 2001 reported that they had used MDMA at least one time in their lives.

• 61.5 percent of high school seniors surveyed in 2001 reported that MDMA was "fairly easy" or "very easy" to obtain.

• Rave parties and clubs started to show up in most metropolitan areas of the United States by the early 1990s.

• Attendance at raves can range from 30 people in a small club to tens of thousands in a stadium or open field.

• Because MDMA can cause users to involuntarily grind their teeth, ravers often chew on baby pacifiers or lollipops to offset this effect.

• Ravers may use "glowsticks" and flashing lights to heighten the hallucinogenic properties of MDMA and the visual distortions brought on by its use.

Some communities and police agencies are developing anti-rave initiatives to try to mitigate the use of club drugs. These latest drives include passing new ordinances that establish juvenile curfews and licensing requirements for large public gatherings, as well as enforcing existing fire, health, safety and liquor laws.

For more information on club drugs, please check with your medical professional and log on to the Department of Justice's National Criminal Justice Reference Service website at www.ncjrs.org.

A Final Thought: These menacing club drugs have invaded our country. They are not just limited to large cities; even rural areas and small communities have felt the disturbing effects of these common narcotics.

Club drugs are serious stuff. Consider this: According to a White House drug policy report, the tasteless and odorless depressants Rohypnol and GHB are often used in the commission of sexual assaults due to their ability to sedate and intoxicate unsuspecting victims! It is critical, therefore, that teens, young adults and their parents be aware of this swiftly growing dilemma.

Take the time to do a club drug reality check. Today many raves are not just about the music – they also may be a "hornet's nest" for the consumption and abuse of these potentially deadly club drugs.

As they sometimes remark on the all-night party scene: Don't make a rave your grave!

Copyright 2002 by Bruce Mandelblit

"Staying Safe" with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com magazine.

Bruce welcomes your security, safety and crime prevention questions. He will answer questions of general interest in his column. Bruce's e-mail address is CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.

Bruce is a nationally known security specialist, as well as a highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.

Bruce was recently commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel – the state's highest honor – by Gov. Paul E. Patton for his public service.

This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.

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