The use of various illicit drugs in nightclub and rave settings has become increasingly popular in many areas over the last few years. Drug use patterns in this context tend to be somewhat different from what we see in other drug cultures. Typically, users are young, Caucasian, and from a middle to upper socioeconomic group. The drugs are purchased in the setting (the club) or brought to the setting by the user, rather than bought on the street or from a regular drug supplier. The club or rave experience revolves around music, dancing, and socializing and usually lasts through the night. The high sought, therefore, is one characterized by increased energy and alertness, feelings of euphoria and disinhibition, and sometimes, hallucinogenic effects. As a result, the drugs used in clubs often span beyond the most common drugs (heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol), to so-called "designer drugs"2, herbal mixtures, and a variety of hallucinogens. Additionally, club drug users often participate in "cafeteria" drug use, or a casual sampling and substitution of a variety of drugs based on availability that often involves the particularly dangerous practice of combined and concurrent drug use. Many of these drugs (e.g., ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol) are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which have the potential to produce respiratory depression, especially when combined with other CNS depressants like alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers.
Ethnographic and police sources were asked about club drug use in their areas. Police sources seemed to have less information regarding this type of drug use, probably due to their focus on more popular illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine.
Following are brief descriptions of the most popular "club" drugs, and reports of use in different areas in the United States. Each drug is listed with its proper name, as well as its most common street name(s).
MDMA: Ecstasy, E, X, XTC, Adam
MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic psychoactive drug usually taken orally in the form of pills and that has both mildly hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like effects. Although overt hallucinations are not typical when using this drug, a distorted sense of time is consistently reported. Users of MDMA describe the effect of the drug on their mood as causing empathic, open, and caring feelings. Users also report a decrease in fear, aggression, and defensiveness. Like amphetamine, MDMA can induce increases in heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, energy, and alertness. A combination of increased body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and physical activity common in club settings can also produce rapid dehydration.
Ethnographers report MDMA use in Seattle, Miami, St. Petersburg, Honolulu, New York, San Diego, and Chicago. Sources describe MDMA as very popular in the Miami and St. Petersburg areas, particularly among those under 30 years of age. MDMA reportedly sells for $20-30 per tablet in San Diego, and $30 per capsule in Chicago. Reports of a homemade version of MDMA called "widgets", costing only $15-20 per pill, also came from Chicago. Police in Columbia report occasionally seeing MDMA, remarking that MDMA "users tend to dabble in lots of different drugs".
LSD: Acid
Well-known from its use in the 1960’s and 70’s, LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) is probably the most popular and potent hallucinogen. LSD is sold in tablets, capsules, liquid form, and most commonly, on small squares of absorbent paper called "blotters" or "windowpane". Users refer to the LSD experience as a "trip" which typically lasts from four to twelve hours. Effects of this drug vary widely dependent upon the amount of the drug taken, the personality of the user, and the user’s surroundings. Users may experience mild distortions or strong or rapid changes in emotions. LSD causes visual hallucinations and delusions, as well as a distorted sense of time and self. Some users report a sensation of separation from one’s own body, and some report experiencing intense insight. The physical effects of LSD include increased heart rate, nausea, numbness, chills, and jitteriness.
Seattle, Austin, St. Petersburg, Honolulu, Chicago, and Minneapolis ethnographers report LSD use in their areas. Its popularity may endure partially due to its low price of only $4-10 per hit. In Austin, LSD is reportedly easy to obtain and popular among youth, but it is of low quality. There is a "fair amount" of LSD in Newark. In contrast, Minneapolis sources report the presence of LSD as "negligible" and Columbia police comment that they do not see much LSD in their area.
Ketamine: Special K, K
Ketamine hydrochloride is used licitly primarily as a veterinary anesthetic, although it can be used as a human anesthetic in low doses. Virtually unknown 5 to 10 years ago, the popularity of illicit ketamine has risen dramatically over the past few years. The powder form of ketamine can be snorted, mixed into drinks, or smoked; the liquid form of ketamine can be injected, mixed into drinks, or applied to smokable materials. Ketamine is often categorized as a dissociative anesthetic, producing effects described as similar to both PCP (phencyclidine) and LSD. The effects of ketamine vary depending on dosage and method of ingestion. Feelings of separation of mind from body and hallucinations are associated with the use of this drug at the high dose levels sold on the illegal market.
Ketamine use is reported by ethnographic sources in Seattle, Miami, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Newark. In Chicago, the ethnographer reports that use of ketamine is increasing slightly and that it sells for $20 per dose. Minneapolis sources comment that ketamine is the primary club drug used, that it was first seen in 1997, and that veterinary supply stores in their area have been burglarized. The Newark source emphasizes that there is a large quantity of ketamine in that area, all of which is pharmaceutical grade. He also notes that a lot of people are hospitalized as a result of taking high doses (100 ml) of ketamine at clubs.
GHB: Georgia Home Boy, Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid X, Liquid Ecstasy, Scoop
GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is a sedative that is popular at clubs and at raves for its euphoric effects. Because of its sedative properties, GHB may also used as a "date rape" drug.3 It is usually sold as an odorless colorless liquid. Users describe GHB as increasing energy, happiness, disinhibition, muscle relaxation, sensuality, and desire to socialize. In larger doses, GHB can cause sedation, desire to sleep, and loss of consciousness. Overdose can lead to respiratory arrest and is potentially lethal.
Chicago, Newark, Seattle, Austin, Miami, and Honolulu ethnographers report GHB use in their areas. In contrast, the Minneapolis source reports no GHB use. GHB reportedly sells for $5 per bottle cap in Chicago. The Newark source remarks that the term "smoldering" is used to describe the process of using GHB. He also notes that the GHB user group is an affluent one seeking psychological and sometimes sexual enhancement. The Miami source remarks that GHB has "been around for a while in clubs…people use it for mind-altering experiences". GHB overdoses are reportedly on the rise in Austin. The ethnographer in Honolulu reports sporadic evidence of GHB use and mentions that a GHB lab was found in a daycare center.
Rohypnol: Roofies
Rohypnol (the trade name for flunitrazepam) has been in the spotlight for the past few years because of its use as a "date rape" drug. It is a benzodiazepine, a sedative/tranquilizer like Valium, and is available legally in Mexico and Europe. Rohypnol is usually sold in tablet form, and sometimes sold as injectable liquid. In lower doses, Rohypnol is taken to relieve anxiety, cause muscle relaxation, and produce general sedative and hypnotic effects. Higher doses of Rohypnol cause a loss of muscle control, loss of consciousness, and anterograde amnesia. These effects are exacerbated when Rohypnol is combined with alcohol, a combination that can be deadly.
Austin, Miami, Honolulu, Minneapolis, and San Diego ethnographic sources report Rohypnol use in their areas. In Austin, treatment admissions for Rohypnol abuse are increasing. Miami sources, however, report a decrease in Rohypnol use. Rohypnol is seen sporadically in Honolulu. Rohypnol sells for only $1.50-2.00 per tablet in San Diego, most likely due to proximity to Mexico, where this drug is readily available.
2 The designation of "designer" to a drug usually refers to drugs produced by illicit chemists who develop a drug combination or variant that builds on an existing drug or mimics a drug effect. The result is often a more potent drug than the user may expect, or, more often, a drug with varying potency due to non-professional production. The risks involved with the use of "designer" drugs are often unknown to users.
3 "Date rape" drugs refer to drugs that are used by persons to drug sexual partners, usually by combining the drug with food or alcohol, facilitating an assault. While many drugs produce unconsciousness, especially when combined with alcohol (sedatives and barbiturates), some, like GHB or Rohypnol are fast acting and have gained particular notoriety.
