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Raves are becoming more popular than ever and these designer drugs are becoming even easier to get a hold of (Kusinitz 46). When asked, over 50 percent of high school seniors said they knew they could get ecstasy "fairly easily" or "very easily" if needed (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Since untrained amateurs commonly create designer drugs in underground laboratories, the drugs can be dangerous (Mass 16). Among all designer drugs, MDMA, or Ecstasy is the most commonly used (Kusinitz 47). Others include Ketamine known commonly as Special K or "K", and LSD also known as acid. Ecstasy is used at the party and rave scene for its effects on the emotional state of the user.
The drug lowers the user's inhibitions, increases awareness and feelings of pleasure and joy while giving the user energy (Kusinitz 152). Other effects are usually confusion, disorientation, insomnia, depression, panic attacks, anxiety, depersonalize user, perceptual disorders and hallucinations, and paranoia (Mass 16 - 17). The effects of this drug can last three to six hours. Most dangers come from people over heating and dehydrating because of the huge strain on your heart (NIDA). Long term effects of this drug can include loss of sleep, kidney failure, and strokes (Kusinitz 153). Ecstasy is a combination of other illicit drugs.
Because many different recipes are used to make Ecstasy, the risk of death and permanent brain damage are heightened when some substances are combined (NIDA). The bottom line with this drug is you never know what is in the $ 5 -$ 20 pill you just bought, so the safest bet would be to do without it. The use of Ecstasy has led to more powerful drugs such as Ketamine, known on the streets as Special K, or K. Special K emerged as a recreational drug in the 1970 's and was known as Vitamin K in the underground club scene in the 1980 's (Kusinitz 44).
It resurfaced in the 1990 's as Special K in the rave scene (45). Normally found in an injectable form, it is converted to powder and re-packaged into small ziplock bags or capsules (46). This powerful hallucinogen is generally snorted, and is occasionally sprinkled on tobacco or marijuana and smoked (NIDA). 'Special K is usually combined with other drugs, such as Ecstasy or cocaine, to enhance the high. The high, called the "K-Hole", can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours and can produce hallucinations that include visual distortions and a lost sense of time and identity' (NIDA). Sold by the vials, K runs around $ 10 -$ 30 and is available widely throughout raves (Mass 16).
The most common form of hallucinogen and the easiest to get at raves, is LSD. Commonly known as "acid", it is sold for $ 3 -$ 5 a hit and can last up to 12 hours (Mass 16). The high from acid is known as a trip. The effects of the trip are unpredictable and they depend on the amount taken and the user's personality at the time the acid is dropped (NIDA). The user's surroundings also play an important role in the effects of the acid. Usually, the user begins to feel the first effects from the acid 30 minutes after taken.
After 90 minutes the trip is in full effect (NIDA). The physical effects of the drug include dilated pupils, muscle tightness, higher body temperature, increases heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors (Kusinitz 45). A person's sensations and feelings change much more dramatically than the physical signs. The user may feel several different moods at once or may swing from one mood to another very rapidly (NIDA). Sensations may seem cross over, giving the user the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. Many users say the drug causes boundaries between the self and other to disappear (Mass 45).
These changes can be frightening and can cause extreme panic. Once the trip is over, a person may still feel confused. Many LSD users experience flashbacks of the drug's effect on the body. A flashback can occur suddenly, often without warning, and may occur within a few days or up to a year after LSD use (NIDA).
Ecstasy, Special K, acid and other club drugs will continue to be a part of the rave scene, even though they are illegal. The usage may decline, but there will always the dedicated raver who looks forward to rolling, snorting some K, or tripping. The trance music will still be around and the parties will still go on. In conclusion, all drugs have some type of negative affects, even though they may sound safe, they possess potential risks especially if they are abused (Mass 46).
It is clear that these drugs and all others only cause problems and do not help people in anyway. It is evident that this trend of "Party Drugs" is a clear problem and is quickly increasing. Clubs are intended for dancers to have a good time in without these drugs. Therefore, you can have fun in clubs without the drugs and their dangerous effects on you.
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