About Club Drugs
The term “club drug” refers to a wide category of illicit drugs which are commonly consumed at parties, bars, concerts, raves and, of course, at clubs. These substances, which are also referred to as “designer drugs,” are most widely consumed by teenagers and young adults, and the consequences of their use can often be tragic. This is due in part to the risk of serious side-effects and the possibility of overdose, as well as to the fact that club drugs are often used for date rape and similar purposes. Many club drugs typically cause a high which is characterized by euphoria, elation and in some cases hallucinations or out-of-body experiences, while others are associated with sedative effects and can lead to amnesia, coma or even death. If you spend time in the club scene or other venues where club drugs are common — or if you have adolescent children who are at risk of being exposed to club drugs — it is important to know what steps can be taken to avoid them.
Tips for Avoiding Dangerous Club Drugs
Know What They Are
Everyone has heard of marijuana, cocaine and heroin, and you would have a hard time finding anyone who didn’t know that they are dangerous drugs. What if you were at a party, however, and someone offered you some vitamin K, soap or jet? Would you know exactly what was being offered, and would you realize that it was dangerous? Some of the most common club drugs include MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy or Molly, GHB, Rohypnol (or “roofies”), ketamine (“vitamin K,” “Special K,” “jet”), methamphetamine (“meth” or “crystal meth”) and LSD. In addition to these, new synthetic drugs including bath salts and N-bomb or Smiles are becoming increasingly popular.
Don’t Leave Your Drink Unattended
Unlike traditional street drugs, most club drugs do not have to be smoked, snorted or injected. Many can be swallowed as a pill, and can even be dissolved in liquid. In many cases, another person will drop a powdered form of a drug into one’s beverage when the drinker is not looking, with the result that when he or she finishes the glass, the person is unknowingly using drugs. This is an especially common tactic for using date rape drugs by getting a woman high on a drug which will get rid of her inhibitions and make it easier to take advantage of her.
Avoid Getting Drunk
If you are going to consume alcohol, drink only in moderation at venues where club drugs are likely to be found. The more you drink, the less aware you will be of what is happening in your environment, and the easier it will be for another person to slip drugs into your glass. Similarly, alcohol will lower your inhibitions, making it more likely that you will accept a pill when it is offered to you. As a result, you could end up getting much more than you bargained for.
Don’t Accept Anything With Which You Aren’t Familiar
As mentioned above, club drugs are not consumed in the same ways as are traditional drugs. Very often they come in small tablets which have pastel colors and which are impressed with friendly looking designs such as smiley faces, hearts and peace symbols. These pills look like candies, and are easily mistaken. In some cases, a person will walk around at a rave or similar setting with a spray bottle which contains a liquid with a dissolved hallucinogenic drug, offering to spray some in the face of those he or she meets — or even doing it without offering. Don’t be afraid to turn down an offer, and be ready to push someone out of your face when it looks like they are about to try to drug you without your agreement.
Don’t Go Out with Known Drug Users
Perhaps the most effective measure you can take to stay away from club drugs is to avoid people whom you know to be drug users. If you are aware that certain friends or acquaintances like to use club drugs, make it a point not to spend time at bars, parties, clubs and concerts with those people. If you do go out with them, you can expect to face peer pressure to join in. This is true even if they normally smoke pot or use other drugs, since they will be more likely to accept club drugs if offered, and will tend to then try to get you to join in. Find friends who enjoy going out at night but who do not feel the need to get high in order to enjoy themselves.
Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/club-drugs
