News (Media Awareness Project) - CN ON: Club Drug Use Carries Uncertain Risks |
| Title: | CN ON: Club Drug Use Carries Uncertain Risks |
| Published On: | 2005-04-25 |
| Source: | Ottawa Citizen ( CN ON ) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-20 11:47:28 |
Copyright: 2005 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:letters@thecitizen.canwest.com
Website:
Details:http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Dr. Barry Dworkin
CLUB DRUG USE CARRIES UNCERTAIN RISKS
When discussing the potential side effects of drugs, risks must be viewed
within a realistic context. Indeed, my last column on Ecstasy, or MDMA,
and today's on GHB ( gamma-hydroxybutyrate ), Rohypnol ( flunitrazepam )
and ketamine, contain information that is factually correct.
Each person reacts differently to the effects of a drug.
GHB, developed in 1960 by the French as an anesthetic, is a salty powder
that is dissolved in water. It is manufactured from common industrial
chemicals that can be purchased with home-production instruction manuals
from websites.
It is structurally similar to a naturally occurring central nervous system
transmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ). GABA is believed to
regulate sleep cycles, body temperature, memory and brain glucose
levels. Its unpleasant salty or soapy taste can be masked by mixing it in
flavoured or alcoholic drinks.
GHB's effects are dose-dependent. The initial euphoria occurs about 15 to
30 minutes after ingestion, reaching a peak in 20 to 60 minutes. This
effect can be tempered if taken with food. The use of alcohol or other
central nervous system depressants can increase GHB's potential toxic
effects. The drug's concentration within the powder is not known,
increasing the risk of overdose.
The signs and symptoms of GHB intake that can precede overdose are
dizziness, increased salivation, muscle relaxation and amnesia. There is
evidence to suggest that as the level of consciousness wanes, the risk of a
slower heart rate ( bradycardia ) and low body temperature ( hypothermia )
increases. Overdose might lead to abnormal and ineffective breathing
patterns, seizures, coma and death. Recognition of the early signs and
symptoms can help prevent this outcome.
Long-term regular users of GHB might develop drug dependence. The
withdrawal syndrome can include insomnia, tremors and anxiety.
The drug Rohypnol, also known as the date-rape drug, is the same class of
medication as Valium: It is a potent benzodiazepine. This prescription
drug is available in many European and Latin American countries for use as
a preoperative anesthetic, sedation, and as a treatment for
insomnia. Being a prescription drug, there is quality control in its
manufacturing process.
Rohypnol can induce sleep ( hypnotic ), reduce stress, inhibition and
anxiety through sedation, and is a muscle relaxant at doses of one to two
milligrams. The onset of action is about 30 minutes after ingestion, with
a peak effect occurring after two hours. The drug's effect can last up to
12 hours.
Exceeding the recommended dose can lead to loss of memory of events
occurring from the time of ingestion onward ( anterograde amnesia ), lack
of muscle control and loss of consciousness. Users who consume alcohol can
increase the drug's effect.
Depending on the dose and other concurrent drug use, some users can develop
low blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, aggressive behaviour, urinary
retention ( inability to urinate ) and visual disturbances.
Benzodiazepines are not usually recommended for long-term use because of
the high risk of drug dependence. Some prescription benzodiazepines can
cause dependence with two to three weeks of daily use. Withdrawal must be
medically supervised in order to prevent seizures.
Ketamine is a derivative of phencyclidine ( PCP ). It prevents brain cells
( neurons ) to reclaim various neurotransmitter compounds that are released
by one neuron to communicate with another. The neurotransmitter levels can
build up and overstimulate certain brain areas. This effect can cause
hallucinations and strange thoughts and ideations.
Ketamine is difficult to produce in a home lab because it requires a
specialized manufacturing process. Most of the supply is taken from
veterinary and human anesthesia products. Pharmaceutical grade ketamine
comes as a liquid that can be swallowed or injected. Club users will allow
the liquid to evaporate in order to collect the powder. The powder can be
mixed with tobacco or cannabis and smoked or snorted.
Ketamine has a rapid onset of action that lasts 30 to 45 minutes. It can
cause a dreamlike state or a feeling of floating outside the
body. Increasing doses can lead to confusion, anterograde amnesia and
delirium. Depending on the dose, other drug and alcohol ingestion and the
person's ability to metabolize the drug( s ), some can develop
hypertension, rapid heart rate ( tachycardia ), palpitations, a reduction
in breathing effort ( respiratory depression ) with periods of apnea ( no
breathing ).
Chronic users can become addicted. Withdrawal can be severe and require
medical supervision to assist in the detoxification process.
The purpose of this series was to provide information about what is known
about these drugs and not to be interpreted as scaremongering.
Information should be provided within a frame of reference or context that
provides the reader with a means to gauge true risk. To wit, some users
will not experience the severe side effects of club drugs; others will.
More research is required to provide people with an accurate assessment of
their chances of experiencing these harmful effects. Until then, the user
is travelling through uncertain risk territory.
Dr. Barry Dworkin is a family physician and an assistant professor of
family medicine at the University of Ottawa. Read previous columns at
www.drbarrydworkin.com . Listen to him
weekdays at 6:50 a.m., Wednesdays 4 to 5 p.m., and Sundays 3 to 5 p.m. on
580 CFRA.questions@drbarrydworkin.com
Contact:
Website:
Details:
Author: Dr. Barry Dworkin
CLUB DRUG USE CARRIES UNCERTAIN RISKS
When discussing the potential side effects of drugs, risks must be viewed
within a realistic context. Indeed, my last column on Ecstasy, or MDMA,
and today's on GHB ( gamma-hydroxybutyrate ), Rohypnol ( flunitrazepam )
and ketamine, contain information that is factually correct.
Each person reacts differently to the effects of a drug.
GHB, developed in 1960 by the French as an anesthetic, is a salty powder
that is dissolved in water. It is manufactured from common industrial
chemicals that can be purchased with home-production instruction manuals
from websites.
It is structurally similar to a naturally occurring central nervous system
transmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ). GABA is believed to
regulate sleep cycles, body temperature, memory and brain glucose
levels. Its unpleasant salty or soapy taste can be masked by mixing it in
flavoured or alcoholic drinks.
GHB's effects are dose-dependent. The initial euphoria occurs about 15 to
30 minutes after ingestion, reaching a peak in 20 to 60 minutes. This
effect can be tempered if taken with food. The use of alcohol or other
central nervous system depressants can increase GHB's potential toxic
effects. The drug's concentration within the powder is not known,
increasing the risk of overdose.
The signs and symptoms of GHB intake that can precede overdose are
dizziness, increased salivation, muscle relaxation and amnesia. There is
evidence to suggest that as the level of consciousness wanes, the risk of a
slower heart rate ( bradycardia ) and low body temperature ( hypothermia )
increases. Overdose might lead to abnormal and ineffective breathing
patterns, seizures, coma and death. Recognition of the early signs and
symptoms can help prevent this outcome.
Long-term regular users of GHB might develop drug dependence. The
withdrawal syndrome can include insomnia, tremors and anxiety.
The drug Rohypnol, also known as the date-rape drug, is the same class of
medication as Valium: It is a potent benzodiazepine. This prescription
drug is available in many European and Latin American countries for use as
a preoperative anesthetic, sedation, and as a treatment for
insomnia. Being a prescription drug, there is quality control in its
manufacturing process.
Rohypnol can induce sleep ( hypnotic ), reduce stress, inhibition and
anxiety through sedation, and is a muscle relaxant at doses of one to two
milligrams. The onset of action is about 30 minutes after ingestion, with
a peak effect occurring after two hours. The drug's effect can last up to
12 hours.
Exceeding the recommended dose can lead to loss of memory of events
occurring from the time of ingestion onward ( anterograde amnesia ), lack
of muscle control and loss of consciousness. Users who consume alcohol can
increase the drug's effect.
Depending on the dose and other concurrent drug use, some users can develop
low blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, aggressive behaviour, urinary
retention ( inability to urinate ) and visual disturbances.
Benzodiazepines are not usually recommended for long-term use because of
the high risk of drug dependence. Some prescription benzodiazepines can
cause dependence with two to three weeks of daily use. Withdrawal must be
medically supervised in order to prevent seizures.
Ketamine is a derivative of phencyclidine ( PCP ). It prevents brain cells
( neurons ) to reclaim various neurotransmitter compounds that are released
by one neuron to communicate with another. The neurotransmitter levels can
build up and overstimulate certain brain areas. This effect can cause
hallucinations and strange thoughts and ideations.
Ketamine is difficult to produce in a home lab because it requires a
specialized manufacturing process. Most of the supply is taken from
veterinary and human anesthesia products. Pharmaceutical grade ketamine
comes as a liquid that can be swallowed or injected. Club users will allow
the liquid to evaporate in order to collect the powder. The powder can be
mixed with tobacco or cannabis and smoked or snorted.
Ketamine has a rapid onset of action that lasts 30 to 45 minutes. It can
cause a dreamlike state or a feeling of floating outside the
body. Increasing doses can lead to confusion, anterograde amnesia and
delirium. Depending on the dose, other drug and alcohol ingestion and the
person's ability to metabolize the drug( s ), some can develop
hypertension, rapid heart rate ( tachycardia ), palpitations, a reduction
in breathing effort ( respiratory depression ) with periods of apnea ( no
breathing ).
Chronic users can become addicted. Withdrawal can be severe and require
medical supervision to assist in the detoxification process.
The purpose of this series was to provide information about what is known
about these drugs and not to be interpreted as scaremongering.
Information should be provided within a frame of reference or context that
provides the reader with a means to gauge true risk. To wit, some users
will not experience the severe side effects of club drugs; others will.
More research is required to provide people with an accurate assessment of
their chances of experiencing these harmful effects. Until then, the user
is travelling through uncertain risk territory.
Dr. Barry Dworkin is a family physician and an assistant professor of
family medicine at the University of Ottawa. Read previous columns at
weekdays at 6:50 a.m., Wednesdays 4 to 5 p.m., and Sundays 3 to 5 p.m. on
580 CFRA.
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