'CLUB DRUGS' CARRY GRAVE CONSEQUENCES

Dear Abby: Please alert your readers to a problem of grave concern. (No pun
intended.) "Club drugs" are becoming the "rave" with teens and young adults
at all-night dance parties across the country. While those who use Ecstasy,
GHB, Rohypnol -- to name only a few of these drugs -- may think they have
no side effects, the reality is that these drugs are potentially
life-threatening. Whether kids knowingly use these drugs or have them
surreptitiously slipped into their drinks at "rave" parties, they can
produce a range of effects -- including hallucinations, paranoia, amnesia
and even death.

Ecstasy, which goes by several names including "X," "Adam" and "MDMA," is
both a stimulant and a hallucinogen. People may use Ecstasy for energy to
keep on dancing and improve their mood. However, this drug increases the
heart rate and body temperature, occasionally to the point of heart and
kidney failure. It also appears to diminish the sense of thirst, and
Ecstasy users have died from acute dehydration.

In addition, brain-imaging studies have shown that frequent Ecstasy use may
damage brain cells that produce serotonin, a natural chemical that is
partly responsible for memory and mood. It is still not known if these
cells can regenerate, so the memory loss -- and perhaps additional,
still-to-be discovered serotonin-related impairments -- may be long-lasting
or permanent.

GHB ("G," "liquid Ecstasy") and Rohypnol ("roofie," "Roche") have been
associated with sexual assault cases around the country. These two drugs,
which are colorless, odorless and tasteless, have been slipped in the
drinks of unknowing victims. Because both GHB and Rohypnol cause sedation
and produce amnesia, they often prevent a sexual assault victim from
identifying and successfully prosecuting the perpetrator.

Widespread use of Ecstasy, GHB and Rohypnol is relatively recent. The worst
effects of these drugs may be the ones that are not yet known. Researchers,
supported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, are studying "club
drugs" with a sense of urgency. Although we still have much to learn about
the effects of these drugs, we already know that they can be extremely
harmful.

On Dec. 2, we will launch a National Club Drug Initiative that will include
issuing a Community Drug Alert Bulletin explaining what science says about
the effects of these drugs. In addition, we will be working with several
national organizations to get the word out to parents, teens and others
about the dangers of these drugs. We also have information about these and
other drugs on our Web site at www.drugabuse.gov. Or, your readers can call
800-729-6686 to request free copies of these materials. Thank you for your
help in getting the word out, Abby.

Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D., Director, National Institute of Drug Abuse

Dear Dr. Leshner: I applaud your research, and I'm pleased to help.

When will people learn that there is no free lunch? There is a price to pay
for every mood-altering chemical people put into their bodies. One can only
hope that the substance is not addictive and the effects aren't permanent.
Years ago, many people thought that cocaine was not addictive. Then
fortunes were lost and lives were ruined or lost when the opposite turned
out to be true.