Party/Street Drugs is it safe or Ok?

The use of so-called Party Drugs has become fairly common among young people with a noticeable increase in white-collar workers and executives. There are some things you should know about these drugs.

Many are made in small "laboratories" (bathtub chemists) with no quality controls so you never know what you are buying. Some are mixed with other drugs and that can cause complications if there is a negative reaction.

Some people use more than one drug at the same time, which can be dangerous if mixed with the wrong substances in the wrong amounts. Here is a list of the most common party drugs available:

ECTASY or MDMA, common street names are "E", "XTC or "ADAM". Produces euphoria, endless energy, lasts four to six hours, but can be accompanied by anxiety, nausea, blurred vision, depression, increased blood pressure and heart rate. Long-term use may damage specific brain cell, especially among women.

KETAMINE also called "Special K", Vitamin K". Users smoke or snort it for its hallucinogenic trance which can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. It may produce loss of consciousness, seizures, reduced respirations, or coma. May require hospitalization.

METHAMPHETAMINE or "Crank", "Crystal", "Speed" or "Ice". Very high energy may last 8-14 hours; results in aggression, violence, psychosis and long term nerve damage.

LSD. Street name is "acid" or "Microdot." A colourless, tasteless liquid placed in drinks or dropped on a blotter and sucked. It may cause hallucinations, numbness, nausea, sweating, flashbacks or sleeplessness. It may cause permanent brain damage.

Phencyclidine street name is PCP, Angel dust, Hog, or Loveboat. This drug may cause delusions, paranoia; it kills brain cells or possibly suicide.

GHB. One of the date rape drugs called Easy Lay. Usually dropped into a drink, it can result in collapse, loss of consciousness, seizures, respiratory depression, or coma. A female may be powerless to resist assault and may have no memory of the attack.

ROHYPNOL, also caller "Roe or Rope, Roofies", it is also a date rape drug, dropped in drinks; users feel relaxed and sociable, but it can result in incapacity, unconsciousness, coma, amnesia.

EPHEDRINE street name is "E" and it's found in over the counter cold medications or inhalers but is used at three times maximum dose. It will produce a speed like effect for 3-4 hours. It increases heart rate and blood pressure.

MARIJUANA called "Mary Jane, MJ, Pot, Weed" is smoked and acts as a relaxant, problems disappear, sedation, blurred vision and dizziness.
Another drug which is used to increase male sexual arousal, POPPERS, also called "AMY" are Amyl Nitrite, an inhaled vasodilator. Poppers come in small crushable glass vials which are surrounded by mesh to protect the user from cutting themselves. The drug is inhaled just prior to sexual activity, resulting in a "rush", full erection and a powerful sense of sexual urgency. The danger is the possibility of having a stroke because of the vasodilation. It is also known that males who used poppers were more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS

If you are going to a bar, a social party Rave or other social event, always go with a good friend whom you trust.

Never go home with somebody you have just met, go home with your buddy. Go to the washroom with your buddy.

Never accept a drink from a stranger or casual friend, go to the bar with them or alone.

Never leave a drink and go out on the dance floor then come back to your drink. Somebody could have slipped a drug into your unattended drink. Get a fresh drink.

Never go out to the parking lot alone, to get a breath of fresh air, you are vulnerable to assault. Take your buddy.

Watch your buddy for unusual behavior, intervene, get them home safely. They will thank you.

If the friend passes out, do not assume that they have just drunk too much - get them to Emergency. If they are having difficulty breathing, call 911.