Club drugs and raves – what you need to know

All-night dance parties and clubbing. They’re great until you’re encouraged to try club drugs to keep you awake and energised. Maybe Ecstasy, GHB or Rohypnol? Don’t be hoodwinked. They are not fun-drugs, they don’t just give you more energy, and they are not harmless. Research shows that side effects include paranoia, brain damage, amnesia, depression, hallucinations and sometimes even death.

Club drugs can be tasteless, they often don’t smell and they may have no colour, so they are simple to pop into drinks, and have been associated with date rapes and gang rapes.

And just when you think you know all about them, another dangerous substance hits the streets, and some drug lord out there is making money at your expense – at your health’s expense probably even more than your pocket’s.

Ecstasy masquerades under the names of X, MDMA and Adam and substantial evidence shows that it is damaging to the brain. GHB or G, Liquid Ecstasy may relax the user but increased doses can result in coma or death. Rohypnol or Roofie mixes easily into drinks, has no smell and it’s tasteless. Among other things it can lead to memory loss, dizziness and confusion. Ketamine, Special K or K is an anaesthetic and results in loss of attention and learning ability. It affects memory and can cause many other problems including depression and severe breathing problems.

Methamphetamine can cause memory loss, aggression and psychotic behavior, to name just a few side effects. Slang names include; Ice, Chalk, Speed, Meth. LSD or Acid causes unpredictable behavior and has many undesirable side effects including flashbacks, sleeplessness and increased heart rate.

The word is out that even experimenting with club drugs is dangerous and the effects are unpredictable. Be wise, be safe, you have your whole life ahead of you.

Want to find out more? Visit: www.adolescent-substance-abuse.com