'CLUB DRUG' SAFETY NEEDED

Covington County has more than its fair share of illegal drug use and
abuse, which keeps the Drug Task Force busy. But not every drug affecting
local residents is methamphetamine, marijuana or crack cocaine.

Not every drug abuser or distributor fits the stereotypical image of a
sleazy meth cooker in a backwoods trailer or a crack-peddling thug on a
street corner. There is a whole other variety of chemical abuse out there
with that is just as frightening, and possibly more harmful, because the
distributors of these drugs target teenagers and young adults. The drugs
are affordable, easily obtained, and wrapped in the myth that they are
"harmless."

These are the "Club Drugs."

"They are not harmless," said the commander of the DTF.

One of the most popular -- and dangerous -- is the drug
3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine or MDMA. the street names include
XTC, Ecstasy, X and Adam, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

"It is a central nervous system stimulant (like meth)," said the commander.
"It is a Schedule I controlled substance, just like meth and cocaine."

Capsules or tablets of Ecstasy can cost as little as $20, and the "high"
can last up to four hours. It, like GHB, Ketamine, Rohypnol and LSD are
called "club drugs" because of their popularity with young people attending
all night dance parties, or "raves."

"Most times, whenever you see Ecstasy, you see it in conjunction with rave
parties," said the commander. "A lot of the time, it's not hard to pick
somebody out whose on Ecstasy, they'll have the little glow sticks -- as
they're dancing, they'll twirl them around and when they are on this drug,
they can see the light trail behind it."

The commander said there are other ways to recognize the Ecstasy abuser.

"The short term effects are a dry mouth, increased blood pressure,
increased body temperature, increased heart rate and muscle tension in jaws."

The muscle tensions in the jaws, he said, causes the abuser to grit his or
teeth, sometimes to the point of breaking them. To alleviate the tensions,
they suck on hard candies, or use baby pacifiers or athletic mouth protectors.

Another indicator that the drug is in use, he said, is when the people
massage each other.

"They start cramping," he said. "They call it the 'love drug' but it's not
because it makes them want to hug on each other. They rub each other's
shoulders to ease the cramps."

The combination of high body temperatures and increased blood pressure
contribute to dehydration, and rather than alcohol, which would only
aggravate the condition, the rave party hosts usually sell bottles of
water. But the dehydration can be fatal, and it has been indicated that use
of the drug can lead to kidney problems, exacerbating the problem even more.

Other long term effects include death, usually from heat stroke.

"The body temperature will get up to 106, 107 degrees," said the commander.
"Basically, your brains are fried."

Ecstasy has what could be called a "cult" following, with page after page
on the internet praising its benefits and giving advice on how to us it
"safely," but according to both law enforcement and medical professionals,
there is no "safe" usage. According to the National Institute for Drug
Abuse, "chronic abuse of Ecstasy appears to damage the brain's ability to
think and regulate emotion, memory, sleep, and pain."

"If you run around with your heart rate way above normal all the time and
fevered, obviously, its not good.," said the commander of the DTF.

While the DTF has seen few cases of Ecstasy abuse in Covington County, they
are aware it is out there. Since it is usually found around college
campuses, and college age people, the officers know it is accessible,
especially with spring break bringing many through the area, and taking
many or the local students to areas where the drug is more easily found.

"Parents need to be aware," said the commander.

Other "club drugs" include:

GHB (hydroxybutyrate) -- Also known as "G," "Liquid Ecstasy," "Georgia Home
Boy" or Gamma. At lower doses, GHB can relax the user, but, as the dose
increases, the sedative effects may result in sleep and eventual coma or
death. This is one of the drugs, according to the National Institute for
Drug Abuse, that is used in "date rape" cases.

Rohypnol --"Roofie" or "Roche," it is tasteless and odorless. It mixes
easily in carbonated beverages. People -- especially women -- are warned
about accepting drinks at clubs or parties for this reason, as it is also
used for "date rape." Rohypnol may cause individuals under the influence of
the drug to forget what happened. Other effects include low blood pressure,
drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and stomach upset.

Ketamine -- "Special K" or "K," it is an anesthetic. Use of a small amount
of ketamine results in loss of attention span, learning ability, and
memory. At higher doses, ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, high blood
pressure, depression, and severe breathing problems.

Methamphetamine -- "Speed," "Ice," "Chalk," "Meth," it is often made in
home laboratories. Methamphetamine use can cause serious health concerns,
including memory loss, aggression, violence, psychotic behavior, and heart
problems.

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) -- "Acid" may cause unpredictable behavior
depending on the amount taken, where the drug is used, and on the user's
personality. A user might feel the following effects: numbness, weakness,
nausea, increased heart rate, sweating, lack of appetite, and
sleeplessness. Long term effects include flashbacks and genetic damage
which can lead to birth defects.