Party Drugs: Properties, Prevalence, Patterns, and Problems

Abstract

This review summarizes the latest literature on "party" or "club" drugs, defined as MDMA, GHB, ketamine, and Rohypnol, as published from 2002 to early 2005. Club drugs have been categorized as being used at raves and dance parties. The literature shows that each drug has different properties, users, and settings. Each drug has different adverse effects and requires different acute care protocols. Although these drugs were identified early, scientific information about them, including the toxicological tests to identify them, is still evolving. Increasing numbers of studies on the short- and long-term effects of these drugs on humans are being published, but because of limitations on research using human subjects, they may not always be as rigorous as desired and can be cited by drug users to discredit findings of harm. The lack of research-based information on these drugs has led to the emergence of web sites that may or may not provide accurate data. Evaluated chemical dependency treatment protocols using the latest research for each of these different drugs are needed.

Association of ecstasy seizure rates with district Human Development Index in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2000 to 2007

“…On the contrary, Barra Funda and República that were not typically high HDId districts had higher rates probably due to the existence of a high number of nightclubs. These results confirmed that the well-known typical settings of ecstasy use are dance clubs and rave parties (Gahlinger, 2004;Maxwell, 2005). Data from a Brazilian survey also showed that 95.2% of 1.140 participants answered that party and/or club environment led to the consumption of ecstasy (Almeida, GarciaMijares, Silva, 2009).…”

“What Goes Up Must Come Down”: Exploring the Harms Experienced By a Group of Heavy Ecstasy Users in Melbourne and Discussing the Implications for Harm Reduction

“…These harms, although somewhat recognised in the broader literature [4][5][6][7], are not typically identified in popular harm reduction messages. Harm reduction messages that focus on risk of overdose and blood borne virus transmission, although potentially relevant to injecting drug users, are likely to be meaningless to recreational drug users.…”

Modelling Rohypnol [Flunitrazepam] and Alcohol Abuse and Resultant Effects on Hippocampal Histoarchitecture and Biochemicals in Wistar Rats

“…Results from the current investigation provide information on the use of rohypnol which is one of the popularly abused drugs but with limited experimental information on effects and consequences of use especially on metal and social health [27]. Further investigations into the use and circumstances surrounding such instances; as well as the possible neurological consequences of rohypnol will be very useful in managing its effects and controlling its abuse.…”