Club Drugs

A drug as MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine, Methamphetamine, and LSD that is used by young adults at all-night dance parties such as "raves" or "trances", dance clubs, and bars.

Frequent use of alcohol over a long period of time can lead to addiction characterized by extreme cravings. When alcohol use is suddenly stopped, withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Long-term alcohol use can produce severe damage to the brain and liver. When a pregnant mother consumes alcohol, fetal alcohol syndrome can occur. The child may suffer from mental retardation and physical abnormalities.

Use of club drugs can cause serious heath problems and, in some cases, death. No club drug is benign. Chronic abuse of MDMA, for example, appears to produce long-term damage to serotonin-containing neurons in the brain. Because some club drugs are colorless, tasteless, and odorless, they can be added unobtrusively to beverages by individuals who want to intoxicate or sedate others. In recent years, there has been an increase in reports of club drugs used to commit sexual assaults.



Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant, creating a quick, intense euphoria, accompanied by a decrease in hunger, indifference to pain and fatigue, and illusions of great physical strength and mental capacity. Crack is an extremely addicting form of cocaine that is smoked. Cocaine causes dramatic changes in the way brain cells operate. As a powerful stimulant, it causes the activity of the brain to speed up. The result can make the brain inoperative, unable to send its life supporting messages to the heart and lungs. A violent seizure and death will follow. Cocaine can also kill through heart attacks brought on by the extra strain forced on the heart. Cocaine constricts the blood vessels of the user placing a tremendous stress on the heart and circulatory system. Death can also occur by severe irregular heartbeat, a stroke or a brain seizure. Cocaine is a profound producer of mental depression. Cocaine causes other psychological problems including:

	Anxiety Attacks
	Intense Irritability
	Acute Paranoia
	Violent Behavior
	Suicide

Other deaths are caused by suffocation brought on by an unnaturally deep sleep or unconsciousness resulting from a cocaine binge. The anesthetized tissues in the back of the throat may block breathing. Cocaine is often mixed with other drugs, particularly alcohol, which increases the user's risks dramatically.