What Are Raves?

"Raves" are high energy, all-night dances that feature hard pounding techno-music and flashing laser lights. Raves are found in most metropolitan areas and, increasingly, in rural areas throughout the country. The parties are held in permanent dance clubs, abandoned warehouses, open fields, or empty buildings.

Raves are frequently advertised as "alcohol free" parties with hired security personnel. Internet sites often advertise these events as "safe" and "drug free." However, they are dangerously over crowded parties where your child can be exposed to rampant drug use and a high-crime environment. Numerous overdoses are documented at these events.

Raves are one of the most popular venues where club drugs are distributed. Club drugs include MDMA (more commonly known as "Ecstasy"), GHB and Rohypnol (also known as the "date rape" drugs), Ketamine, Methamphetamine (also known as "Meth"), and LSD.

Because some club drugs are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, they can be added without detection to beverages by individuals who want to intoxicate or sedate others in order to commit sexual assaults.

Rave promoters capitalize on the effects of club drugs. Bottled water and sports drinks are sold at Raves, often at inflated prices, to manage hyperthermia and dehydration. Also found are pacifiers to prevent involuntary teeth clenching, menthol nasal inhalers, surgical masks, chemical lights, and neon glow sticks to increase sensory perception and enhance the Rave experience.

Cool down rooms are provided, usually at a cost, as a place to cool off due to increased body temperature of the drug user.

Don't risk your child's health and safety. Ask questions about where he or she is going and see it for yourself.

What Are Club Drugs?

1) Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Street names: Ecstasy, E, X, XTC, Adam, Clarity, Lover's Speed

An amphetamine-based, hallucinogenic type drug that is taken orally, usually in a tablet or capsule form.

Effects:

• Lasts 3-6 hours.
• Enables dancers to dance for long periods of time.
• Increases the chances of dehydration, hyper tension, heart or kidney failure, and increased body temperature, which can lead to death.
• Long-term effects include confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, paranoia, and loss of memory.

2) Gamma-hydoxybutyrate (GHB)

Street names: Grievous Bodily Harm, G, Liquid Ecstasy, Georgia Home Boy

A central nervous system depressant that is usually ingested in liquid, powder, tablet, and capsule forms.

Effects:

• May last up to 4 hours, depending on the dose used.
• Slows breathing and heart rates to dangerous levels.
• Also has sedative and euphoric effects that begin up to 10-20 minutes from ingestion.
• Use in connection with alcohol increases its potential for harm.
• Overdose can occur quickly-sometimes death occurs.

3) Methamphetamine

Street names: Speed, Ice, Chalk, Meth, Crystal, Crank, Fire, Glass

A central nervous system stimulant, often found in pill, capsule, or powder form, that can be snorted, injected, or smoked.

Effects:

• Displays signs of agitation, excited speech, lack of appetite, and increased physical activity.
• Often results in drastic weight loss, violence, psychotic behavior, paranoia, and sometimes damage to the heart or nervous system.

4) Ketamine

Street names: Special K, K, Vitamin K, Cat Valium

An injectable anesthetic used primarily by veterinarians, found either in liquid form or as a white powder that can be snorted or smoked, sometimes with marijuana.

Effects:

• Causes reactions similar to those of PCP, a hallucinatory drug.
• Results in impaired attention, learning, and memory function. In larger doses, it may cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, and depression.

5) Rohypnol

Street names: Roofies, Rophies, Roche, Forget-me Pill

Tasteless and odorless sedative, easily soluble in carbonated beverages, with toxic effects that are aggravated by concurrent use of alcohol.

Effects:

• Can cause anterograde amnesia, which contributes to Rohypnol's popularity as a "date rape" drug.
• Can cause decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness, and confusion.

6) Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)

Street names: Acid, Boomers, Yellow Sunshines

Hallucinogen that causes distortions in sensory perception, usually taken orally either in tablet or capsule form. Often sold on blotter paper that has been saturated with the drug.

Effects:

• Are often unpredictable and may vary depending on dose, environment, and the user.
• Causes dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, dry mouth, and tremors.
• Can cause numbness, weakness, and nausea.
• Long-term effects may include persistent psychosis and hallucinogenic persisting perception disorder, commonly known as "flashbacks."

Know the Signs

Effects of stimulant club drugs, such as MDMA and Methamphetamine:

• Increased heart rate
• Convulsions
• Extreme rise in body temperature
• Uncontrollable movements
• Insomnia
• Impaired speech
• Dehydration
• High blood pressure
• Grinding teeth

Effects of sedative/hallucinogenic club drugs, such as GHB, Ketamine, LSD, and Rohypnol:

• Slow breathing
• Decreased heart rate (Except LSD)
• Respiratory problems
• Intoxication
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Tremors
• Nausea

Effects common to all club drugs can include anxiety, panic, depression, euphoria, loss of memory, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior. Drugs, traces of drugs, and drug paraphernalia are direct evidence of drug abuse. Pacifiers, menthol inhalers, surgical masks, and other such items could also be considered indicators.

Where Do You Go for Help?

If you suspect your child is abusing drugs, monitor behavior carefully. Confirm with a trustworthy adult where your child is going and what he or she is doing. Enforce strict curfews. If you have evidence of club drug use, approach your child when he or she is sober, and if necessary, call on other family members and friends to support you in the confrontation.

Once the problem is confirmed, seek the help of professionals. If the person is under the influence of drugs and immediate intervention is necessary, consider medical assistance. Doctors, hospital substance programs, school counselors, the county mental health society, members of the clergy, organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous, and rape counseling centers stand ready and waiting to provide information and intervention assistance.

For more information:

Office of Justice Programs
www.ojp.usdoj.gov

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delingquency Prevention
www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org
1-800-638-8736

Office for Victims of Crime
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc
1-800-627-6872

Drug Enforcement Administration
www.dea.gov

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)
1-800-662-HELP

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
www.CADCA.org

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
1-800-729-6686
1-877-767-8432 (toll free, in Spanish)
301-468-6433 (fax)
E-mail: info@health.org
www.health.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse
www.clubdrugs.org

Office of National Drug Control Policy Clearinghouse
1-800-666-3332
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov