Wednesday, April 13, 2011

CLUB DRUGS

Club drugs are classified by their effect on the body i.e. ecstacy, as these drugs are stimulants. They widely abused by young adults in late-night parties, while in bars or clubbing, thus deriving its name. Many different types of drugs come under this group - Meth, MDMA, GHB, LSD, Rohypol, Ketamine, as well as alcohol, having a wide range of dangerous effects, as "no club drug is benign."
There are a variety of street names for these drugs - special K, vitamin K, jet (ketamine), G, liquid ecstasy, soap (GHB), roofies (Rohypol).
As said, these drugs are taken mainly by young adults in bars, parties, clubs etc, the main short term effect of these drugs are to "increase the enjoyment of the evening." The short term effects include -  euphoria, confidence, alertness for longer periods of time. The more risky short term effects are  - nausea and vomiting, excessive sweating, teeth grinding, hallucinations, and in extreme cases even seizures and coma.
The long term effects vary as there is a wide variety of stimulants with the group of club drugs. In general however, they result in increased risks of heart attacks, kidney, liver  and lung failure, high BP, memory loss, increased aggression and loss of appetite.

More specifically, Meth especially, leads to rotting of the body - teeth, face, skin as well as the insides in the long run. GHB can cause coma and seizures, Rohypol can lead to amnesia and delirium

Club drugs can be taken in a variety of ways, such as Meth can be taken in orally, or with water or alcohol,  in powder form, often GHB or Rohypol are mixed together with alcohol ( a very lethal combination, it results in overdose very quickly though the body doesn't feel it quickly enough), and can be injected into the body as well.

A survey by the NIDA found  that 0.5% of 8th graders, 0.6% of 10th graders, and 1.5% of 12th graders had abused Rohypnol; 0.6% of 8th graders, 0.6% of 10th graders, and 1.4% of 12th graders had abused GHB; and 1.0% of 8th graders, 1.1% of 10th graders, and 1.6% of 12th graders had abused Ketamine, drawing the conclusion that club drugs are some of the most dangerous drugs due to their ready availability, and as overdose of these drugs cannot be quantified, even more due to the environment in which they are taken.

In conclusion, for an average young adult, club drugs are the most dangerous due to the various factors listed above - cheap, accessible, taken in at bars, clubs, parties which hardly any young adult can avoid; and yet the consequences can be lethal, ruining their life and the lives of others surrounding them.

 SOURCES other than the NIDA website
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au

Monday, April 11, 2011

THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUG - METH

I believe that Meth (Methamphetamine) is the most dangerous drug as it is cheap and thus readily accessible to people everywhere and once taken, it lasts much longer in the system than many other drugs. It doesn't kill immediately, but takes an extreme physical and mental toll on its users as Meth basically rots people's bodies - teeth, skin, face and also the insides, increases risks of liver and kidney failure, heart attacks, and several breathing problems. Also the bingeing of this durg has been proved to increase the risk of acquiring Parkinson's disease.
Along with being cheap and accessible (much due to clandestine labs and "meth cooks" who learned how to produce meth from household items), it is one of the very few drugs which can be taken in numerous ways - in alcohol or water or any other liquid, cigarettes, orally, in powder form and many more. A survey done in the US in 2009 found 1.2 million to have abused the drug, 1.2% of students in Grade 9, 1.6% in Grade 10 and close to 1% in Grade 11 and 12, which clearly shows the availability of this drug is much much more than other stimulants, making it one of the most dangerous.