The university students guide to

DR UGS DR UGS
Drugs and health
Drugs are chemical substances that are taken for a specific effect. In the case of illegal drugs (also known as recreational drugs), such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin or ecstasy, the effect is to alter the functioning of the brain to provide sensations that are experienced as pleasurable. All drugs have desirable and undesirable effects. One of the undesirable effects of recreational drugs is a continued compulsion to use the drug, even when its use creates problems in finances, relationships, health (both physical and mental), school and/or work. Although avoiding drug use has been linked to better overall health and well-being, some people choose to use recreational drugs. It is important for those who do use drugs to be informed about them, to be able to identify the potential problems that they can cause, to identify when their use has become problematic, and to use them in such a way that eliminates or reduces the risk of problems associated with their use.

Why people try drugs

There are many reasons why people try drugs. A few of the common reasons are listed below: Its a way to fit in and be social Its a way to relax Its a way to escape They are easy to obtain and appear harmless Everyone seems to be doing it Its a way to take some risk or be a rebel Its a way to feel good They decrease inhibitions They believe it helps them cope with stress, personal problems or family problems After trying a drug for the first time, a person may react in several different ways. Some people dont like the experience and never use the drug again. Some people enjoy the experience, but decide never to use the drug again. Some people might not like the experience but will try the drug again later. Some people like the experience and decide to use the drug rarely or occasionally, usually under certain circumstances such as in social situations. And some people continue to use the drug regularly. No matter how a person reacts, he or she makes a conscious decision to use drugs.

Making decisions about drug use

Making decisions about drug use is a complex matter that usually involves weighing the benefits and consequences of using a drug. Listed below are some points to consider when making decisions about drug use. Think them over, talk them over with people close to you and seek out more information before deciding whether or not to use drugs. A drug is any substance that changes the way we think, feel or behave. This includes the alcohol in beer, wine and liquor, the caffeine in coffee, drugs bought off the shelf or with a prescription, various consumer products that can be sniffed, and street drugs like marijuana and LSD. All drugs have risks. To simplify things, some people use the terms soft drugs and hard drugs. However, the truth is that even the drugs we tend to think of as soft can have serious risks. For example, drugs bought on the street or those made by kitchen chemists can have some impurities that can have serious consequences for the user. With some drugs, the risk is high from the time a person starts to use them. For other drugs, problems can occur when a large amount is used, or if the drug is used for a long time. The drugs most commonly abused are drugs that change and affect how a person feels. They can be called mood-changing drugs or psycho-active drugs. They include alcohol, all common street drugs, and medications used to relieve pain, calm nervousness and aid sleep. Mood-changing drugs are those upon which people can become dependent or addicted. This is partly explained by the fact that these drugs can be used over and over to change how a person feels, and his or her life can be increasingly controlled by them. Being under the influence of drugs that affect your mind can be dangerous or self-defeating in situations where you need your wits about you. Drugs like alcohol, marijuana, tranquillizers, antihistamines and many others can make it dangerous for you to drive a car or

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difficult to do other things such as run a machine, play sports, or even write an exam. The greater the amount used, the greater the risk of having a problem. Medicine taken in the amount directed by a doctor may be helpful. Too much of the same drug may be harmful or even cause death. Likewise, as the amount of any of the illegal drugs taken increases, so does the chance of harm. The more often a drug is used, the greater the risk of having a problem. For instance, studies indicate that those who use marijuana regularly are at higher risk of experiencing problems associated with marijuana, such as difficulty processing complex information. Risk increases with the length of time a drug is used. There are risks involved with using more than one drug at a time. For example, drinking alcohol while using a legal or illegal drug may produce dangerous effects. This is because the combined effects of such drugs may be greater than expected. The person using the drug makes a big difference. People using drugs can be happy or depressed, cautious or careless, healthy or mentally/physically ill. They may react to a drug in the way that most other users of that drug react, or they may have an unusual reaction. Some may be more likely to become dependent. All of these things will affect what happens when someone uses a drug. It is often impossible to know what effect a drug will have on a person before he or she begins to use it. A persons physical or mental health and his or her reasons for using the drug must be considered.

Guidelines for drug decisions

Remember that all drugs have a possible risk, even the ones we take for granted, including over the counter pain relievers like Tylenol. Aim to avoid drug risks. Get good information about drugs before you consider using them. Consult unbiased written information. When you need to be alert and sharp, avoid the use of alcohol and other drugs. Buzzed : The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Avoid taking more than one drug at a time without checking out the possible Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy results with a reliable source, including a pharmacist or a doctor. Avoid drug use that is too much, too often, or too long. When in doubt consult a The Addiction Workbook reliable and unbiased source. Dont expect drugs to solve your problems or make you a better person. The Health Effects of Cannabis

in the lending library

Things to talk about

Mind Altering Drugs One of the best ways to sort out your feelings about something is to talk about it. Here are some questions you may want to discuss with your family or friends. 1. In what cases is the use of these types of drugs OK or NOT OK? Medications? Alcohol? Marijuana? 2. What is the difference between drug use that is not dangerous to your health and that which is unwise or unhealthy? 3. Why do adults use and abuse alcohol or drugs? 4. Why might a young person try a drug? Why might a young person continue to use a drug? Why might a young person decide not to start using a particular drug? Why might a young person decide to stop using a particular drug? 5. What are some good ways to avoid riding with a driver who has been drinking or is taking other drugs? 6. How can a young person gracefully get out of accepting alcohol and other drugs?

When drug use becomes a problem

How do you know when drug use has become a problem? Some people appear to become addicted almost immediately, while others may use for years without apparent consequences. We know that certain clear characteristics mark the progression from first use to full-blown chemical dependency. Drug and alcohol professionals often divide the process into four stages: experimentation, regular use, misuse and addiction/dependency. In the experimentation phase, people limit the use of a substance to five times or less in their lifetime. This is the stage where many people, usually in their teens or 20s, may have tried a drug out of curiosity, media or peer pressureor just to find out what it does to them. It has been described like a first date: some first dates we like, some we're indifferent to, and some rub us the wrong way from the beginning. Experimenters either forget about the drug or move into the next stage. In the second, or "user" stage, people are able to use their drug of choice now and then, often going long periods without it. They'll sometimes choose social events because they know drugs will be available, but they're never preoccupied with whether they'll get high. They may use the drug regularly. They are in control of their consumption and experience few, if any, significant consequences with their jobs, relationships with others, or the law. Significant controversy has developed around whether people can actually use certain drugs, especially marijuana, methamphetamine, crack or heroin, without moving into misuse or dependency. With some drugs, like alcohol, it seems that most people can stay in the "user" stageonly about 20% appear to develop a relationship of dependency. A larger percentage of marijuana users (as many as 25%) become dependent if they use the drug regularly over time. And a very high percentage (85% or more) of the people who regularly use drugs like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine eventually enter the much more damaging stage of dependency. People in the third stage, termed "misusers," usually develop a tolerance for their drug of choice. Because of physiological changes that come from regular use, there is a growing reliance on the drug to change the user's moodbut it takes more to produce the desired effect.

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Misusers become preoccupied with the drug and think frequently about when they will use again. Parties, and other social events, are often chosen for whether or not the drug of choice will be present. There is some level of discomfort if the drug is not available, and another drug, often alcohol, may be substituted. Other indicators of misuse include: High levels of conflict with close friends Family or friends are concerned about the persons use of drugs Patterns of isolation, including breaking relationships with those who do not use Irritability, restlessness or discontentment Unpredictable mood swings Legal problems Financial problems, including growing debt Job- or school-related problems, including chronic absenteeism or lateness People living a pattern of drug misuse can also have significant health problems. Many misused substances are highly toxic, leading to weight loss, hair and tooth loss, acne, lesions or life-threatening liver problems. General levels of stress tend to be very high, creating additional problems of their own. In the fourth stage, the "chemically dependent" or "addicted" person continues to use substances despite continued consequences. Almost always preoccupied with the next smoke, or fix, these people spend a significant amount of their time, money and energy avoiding the emotional and physical discomfort of not using. Addicts usually do not see that the consequences they're experiencing are a result of the misuse; rather, they feel that their life is such that they need drugs to cope with life's problems. ("You'd smoke too, if you had my level of stress/ had my job" etc.) They have an overwhelming desire to re-create the physical sensations and emotions that the drug provides. The combination of physiological craving and psychological need is one of the hallmarks of addiction. Ironically, chemically dependent people commonly see themselves only as regular users. Then, when they misuse and experience some consequences, they attempt to control their intake for a time. Then they misuse again. This back and forth pattern is a common symptom of the last stage. All the while, each symptom found in misusers becomes more serious. It is very important to note that people can't stay in addiction without significant assistance from the people around them. In case after case, chemically dependent people have relied on the financial and emotional support of family members, patience of friends or employers, even handouts on the street to continue their addictions. Ultimately, well-meaning people can actually keep the addict from the "precipitating crisis" such as threat of arrest or jail, failing school, separation or divorce, loss of yet another job or other financial distressthat makes them willing to make real changes.

Marijuana
Marijuana is the name given to a plant whose leaves are consumed, usually by smoking, to provide pleasurable effects. The plant belongs to the genus Cannabis and the active substance that produces the desired effects is known as THC (chemically it is called (-)3,4-trans-delta-ttetrahydrocannabinal). The leaves of the cannabis plant can be processed to form hashish (hash) and hash oil, both of which have higher concentrations of THC than the leaves. Attitudes towards cannabis use are changing. In the 1980's, a majority of people opposed its decriminalization. However, in the 1990's an increasing number of people adopted more liberal attitudes to the extent that a majority of Canadians currently support decriminalization. The main reason for this shift has been attributed to the increased awareness of the beneficial uses of cannabis, often referred to as its "medicinal" effects. The Canadian government has responded by establishing a task INTERESTING force, which is currently overseeing the cultivation of research grade cannabis as well as coordinating trials INFO to examine its effects on health. Interestingly, if cannabis did not have medicinal uses, surveys show that a majority of people would oppose its decriminalization. Marijuana is the most The majority of people that use marijuana do so for its pleasurable, rather than its medicinal, effects. used "recreational" drug Marijuana can have an impact on health in a variety of ways. In 1997, the World Health Organization in Canada. Surveys gathered a group of experts to review thousands of scientific reports on cannabis to determine how it affects indicate that health. What follows is a summary of the information that was published in the document titled "Cannabis: approximately 7% of A health perspective and research agenda." Canadians, 15 years of age and over, have used marijuana in the Acute effects of cannabis last year. A survey of The acute effects of cannabis are those that occur just after using it. Everyone responds to cannabis in Concordia students their own unique fashion. The following are commonly reported acute effects of marijuana: revealed that 29% of mild euphoria students had used relaxation marijuana in the last increased sociability year (9% had used it in heightened sensory perception the last month), and increased consumption of high carbohydrate foods that 56% of students loss of sense of time had never used the perceptual changes drug. depersonalization (feelings of loss of personal identity or feelings of being different, strange or unreal)

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Some people experience unpleasant effects with marijuana. These unpleasant effects are more common at higher doses or in naive users. They include: sensation of high anxiety tension confusion panic Marijuana appears to impair all cognitive processes associated with learning, with the exception of abstract thinking and vocabulary. People under the influence of cannabis do more poorly on learning and remembering tasks than people who are not under the influence. Marijuana also impairs psychomotor performance, such as handwriting, and hand-eye motor coordination, which are needed to drive a car. For this reason, people should never drive or operate heavy machinery under the influence of cannabis. Research supports that there is an increased risk of a motor vehicle accidents in those who are intoxicated with cannabis.

"Medicinal" uses of cannabis

Marijuana has been studied for its beneficial effects on health. It appears that it: Reduces nausea and vomiting in the advanced stages of some diseases such as AIDS and during cancer chemotherapy Treats glaucoma by reducing the pressure inside the eye Increases appetite in people whose appetite has decreased because of illness or medications, such as those suffering from AIDS-related wasting syndrome May relieve migraines May help with depression May act like an analgesic to reduce pain May reduce the incidence of muscle spasms in people suffering from multiple sclerosis May help with seizures

Chronic effects of cannabis

Chronic effects are those that occur after continued use of marijuana. The risk of these effects increases with greater use. There is no set rule as to how long or how much a person has to use before experiencing these effects. Often, a person has to use cannabis regularly (most days of the week) for several years to notice negative health effects. However, some effects can occur in people who use cannabis only occasionally. These effects include: Impaired cognitive functioning, which includes attention, memory, and learning, as well as the processing of complex information. Some of these effects may even persist after a person stops using marijuana. It can affect daily life functions. Psychiatric disorders such as amotivational syndrome (a decreased desire to set and achieve life goals), cannabis induced psychoses, and initiation and exacerbation of schizophrenia. Although chronic use increases the chance of psychiatric problems, in some individuals a single use of cannabis can precipitate problems. Dependance. Although cannabis is not physically addictive, the pleasurable effects it provides increases the risk for psychological dependance. The risk of dependance is greatest for daily users. Studies indicate that half of all daily users will become "addicted". Problems of the respiratory system. These include the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g. bronchitis and emphysema); chronic cough; wheezing; reduced pulmonary function; injury to the cells lining the trachea and bronchial passages; and impaired immune function of the lungs, which makes a user more susceptible to lung infections. These respiratory problems can be found in cannabis smokers who do not use tobacco. Cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with impairment in the development of the fetus, leading to a reduction in birth weight. Attributing health effects to cannabis is difficult, since many cannabis users also use other substances such as tobacco, alcohol or other recreational drugs. Nonetheless, current knowledge of the health effects of marijuana is growing. The best way to avoid health related consequences is to not use the drug at all. If you decide to use marijuana, the less you use it, the less your chances will be of experiencing health consequences.

When marijuana use becomes a problem

Marijuana has the ability to cause dependance. Here are some signs that a person's use of marijuana is problematic. The more of these signs a person exhibits, the greater the chance of a problem. If you are concerned about your use of cannabis, consult a health care professional at Health Services. Taking cannabis more often or in larger amounts than intended. Unsuccessful attempts to quit. Persistent cravings. Excessive time spent in seeking the drug. Becoming intoxicated at inappropriate times, such as before class or work. Giving up other things for cannabis. Continued use despite knowledge of harm to self or others. Marked tolerance in which the amounts needed to satisfy increases. Withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped. These include anxiety, irritability, restlessness and nausea.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy, also known by other names including Adam, E, XTC, "Euphoria" and "Love Dove" is a relatively new drug. It was first synthesized in Germany in 1914 for use as an appetite suppressant and was used briefly by psychotherapists in the United States to aid patients in "opening up". Because the drug was found to have no therapeutic effect it was never licensed in Canada. Since no pharmaceutical companies produce it, ecstasy is often made in clandestine laboratories, often in someone's home. Scientists call ecstasy methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and it is categorized as a hallucinogenic amphetamine because it is related to amphetamine and mescaline (a hallucinogen). It is usually taken as a tablet, but it can also be injected, snorted or inserted as a suppository. It is a drug that is most commonly associated with raves (all night dance parties). Ecstasy is believed to work by altering levels of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. More specifically it appears to increase levels of

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dopamine, norephinephrine (which regulates alertness and heart rate), and serotonin (which regulates emotion, pain, appetite, sexual function, sleep and circadian rhythm among others). Although individuals vary in their reaction to taking the drug, for most people the benefit is a pleasurable change in mood and a perception of feeling more connected to others. Users report feeling empathetic, sensual, energetic, hyperactive and overly talkative. Effects occur about 45 minutes to an hour after taking the drug by mouth and they can last for up to 6 hours. Because of these pleasurable effects, there is a potential for abuse to attain these psychological benefits. The drug is not considered to be physically addictive. Along with the pleasurable effects, a long list of other effects can occur with ecstasy use that are much less pleasurable and some are potentially dangerous. The most common of these are an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension, which often manifests itself as involuntary teeth clenching. Other side effects include: nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, chills, sweating, tremors, dry mouth and throat, and nervousness. Mental and emotional instability, anxiety, delusions, paranoia and depression have been reported to occur after the pleasurable effects of the drug have worn off. These after effects are often related to taking larger doses of the drug. There is evidence that people who develop a rash that looks like acne after using ecstasy may be risking severe side effects, including liver damage, if they continue to use it. Use of ecstasy has been linked to deaths. The drug increases body temperature and depresses the desire to eat, drink and sleep. Deaths have resulted from hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature) and kidney failure. In May of 2000, 2 men died in Toronto after taking a street drug disguised as ecstasy. As with other drugs, buyers can never be sure of drug quality and purity. It is advised not to mix ecstasy and alcohol, because alcohol also dehydrates and depresses some of the bodys processes. Ecstasy should also not be used with other stimulants or by people taking antidepressants that inhibit MAO (monoamine oxidase). People with heart ailments, glaucoma, hypertension, a history of aneurism or "stroke", liver or kidney disorders, diabetes or hypoglycemia should not take ecstasy. Information on a variety of Besides deaths, experts that study the effects of ecstasy are also alarmed about the physical changes drugs that can occur in the brain after using the drug. There is scientific evidence from the laboratory and from animal studies to indicate that ecstasy damages nerve cells in the brain. It appears that the drug actively www.nida.nih.gov/ dumps serotonin, and in doing so the part of the brain nerve cells that produce and release serotonin may Infofax/ be destroyed. Since serotonin is involved in the regulation of mood, experts fear that mood disorders may show up in years to come in those who have used ecstasy regularly. Frequent or regular users would be Infofaxindex.html most at risk for these psychiatric problems. A "natural" variety of ecstasy called "herbal ecstasy has surfaced and experts warn that it is not safer than ecstasy. It contains amphetamine and an herbal stimulant called "ma huang" which has also been linked to fatal consequences. As with any recreational drug, deciding to use ecstasy should involve carefully evaluating the potential consequences along with the potential benefits. Should you decide to use ecstasy you should take steps to avoid the main dangerous side effect, which is dehydration. Drink water even if you don't feel thirsty, but don't drink too much. Half a litre an hour is a good amount. Drinking juices and soft drinks is also helpful. Dress lightly and take rest breaks from dancing.

ON THE NET

Club drugs
Club drugs are drugs that are popular, and often easily available, at all-night dance parties known as raves, as well as at clubs and other dance parties. Club drugs include ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine and nitrous oxide Some information on several of these drugs has been presented throughout this chapter. Below is information on ketamine and nitrous oxide.

Ketamine
Ketamine hydrochloride ("Special K" or "K") was originally created for use as a human anaesthetic, and is still used as a general anaesthetic for children, persons of poor health, and in veterinary medicine. Ketamine belongs to a class of drugs called "dissociative anaesthetics, which separate perception from sensation. Other drugs in this category include PCP and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Ketamine usually comes as a liquid in small pharmaceutical bottles, and is most often cooked into a white powder for snorting. At lower doses ketamine creates a mild, dreamy state. Users report feeling floaty and slightly outside their body. Numbness in the extremities is also common. Higher doses produce a hallucinogenic (trippy) effect. This experience is often referred to as entering a "K-hole" and has been compared to a near death experience with sensations of rising above one's body. Many users find the experience spiritually significant, while others find it frightening. While in a K-hole it is very difficult to move. People usually remain seated or lying down during the experience. While low doses of ketamine can increase heart-rate, at higher doses it depresses consciousness and breathing and is extremely dangerous to combine with other drugs with depressant effects such as alcohol, Valium or GHB. Frequent use can cause disruptions in consciousness and lead to neuroses or other mental disorders. Ketamine can cause a tremendous psychological dependence. The dissociation from one's consciousness experienced with ketamine can be highly seductive to some people, and there are many cases of ketamine addiction.

Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a gas that has been safely used as a mild anaesthetic in combination with oxygen for over a century. It is classified as a "dissociative anaesthetic." Nitrous oxide is always inhaled. Users either inhale the gas directly from a tank or else dispense it first into balloons.

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DRUG

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STREET NAMES

EFFECTS

DANGERS

Amphetamines (Speed, Crystal Meth)

Increased alertness, blood pressure, and Short-term: anxiety, paranoia, jitteriness heart rate and severe behavioral changes Appetite loss Long-term: potential permanent mental In large doses: sleep deprivation, and mood disturbances, malnutrition, severe agitation, aggression and paranoid anxiety delusion Increases activity of brain neurotransmitters Euphoria, increased alertness, racing thoughts and speech, loss of appetite Eventual anxiety and paranoia Highly addictive Long-term: paranoia, depression, irritability, internal organ damage, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, potential heart attack Very addictive Any heroin sold on the street may be adulterated with toxic chemicals or can cause a deadly overdose Long-term: liver damage Blood borne diseases (such as HIV/AIDS) if uncleaned needles are shared Extremely habit forming Because they decrease the brain's sensitivity to the need for oxygen, overdose can cause the user to stop breathing Can easily cause nervous system, brain, heart, liver or kidney damage Disorientation, violent behavior, unconsciousness and even death have occurred after a single use May cause mood or thought disturbances Inexperienced users may behave dangerously, and 'bad trips' of uncontrollable negative thoughts or emotions can result in long-term psychological harm Effects are similar to psychosis, and people often behave violently or suicidally Because it blocks pain receptors, users may harm themselves without knowing it Users can become dependent and longterm use can result in speech, memory or thought disturbances Dosages are unpredictable because the amount of chemical in mushrooms varies All psychedelics may cause mood disturbances with long-term use Inexperienced gatherers may not be able to distinguish between "magic mushrooms" and poisonous varieties

Cocaine (coke, blow, crack)

Sense of pleasure and euphoria Heroin (see below for other Withdrawal brings, tremors, sweating, anxiety and strong cravings opiates)

Opiates (opium, morphine, Demerol)

Reduce pain, cause sedation, and produce strong feelings of euphoria and well-being that diminish with use Possible nausea, constipation, and cough suppression

Changes in consciousness and visual perception Inhalants Sometimes nausea, vomiting, headache (poppers, snappers, and increased blood pressure bolt, bullets) Short-term: euphoria, lightheadeness, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, and hallucinations Sensory distortions, sense of slowed or quickened time, hallucinations Sometimes feeling out of control or even a psychotic state that lasts several hours When smoked, swallowed or snorted, interrupts brain function and provides sense of disconnection from reality with euphoria, confused thinking and sometimes hallucinations Can cause difficulty moving or talking, confusion, agitation and paranoia Effects can be felt as long as 24 hours to 2 weeks after use Changes in consciousness and visual perception Sometimes feeling of anxiety, "spaciness" and loss of control Can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches and increased blood pressure

LSD (acid, blotter)

PCP (Angel dust)

Psilocybin (Magic mushrooms)

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A lungful of nitrous oxide results in the temporary loss of motor control and a "dissociative" psychological effect, where sensations and perceptions become disconnected. Users report a dreamy mental state, and may experience mild auditory and visual hallucinations. The effects come on immediately and usually last less than a minute. Repeated inhalations of nitrous oxide can extend and intensify the experience. Since nitrous oxide produces an immediate loss of motor control. There have been many injuries and a few deaths from people who have fallen down after inhaling it. Your brain needs oxygen! Brain damage and suffocation can result from inhaling pure nitrous oxide for an extended period of time. Nitrous oxide can be extremely cold when it comes out of the tank. Cold gas can burn the skin as well as the lips and throat. High pressure levels in the tank can shoot the gas out at a dangerously fast speed and damage the lungs. This is why the gas is often dispensed into a balloon and allowed to warm up before being inhaled. Nitrous oxide can be psychologically addictive. Although rare, some people have become addicted to nitrous oxide and other dissociatives. The regular use of nitrous oxide can cause long-lasting numbness in the extremities and other neurological problems.

Predatory drugs (date rape drugs)

Predatory drugs is the name given to drugs that are used to overpower a person, often for the purpose of sexual assault. The main effect of these drugs is to render a person weak, helpless or unconscious. Once incapacitated the person has little ability to protect her- or himself from the perpetrator. Also, when the drug wears off, the person often has difficulty remembering what happened. Two drugs that are used as predatory drugs are GHB and Rohypnol.

Gammahydroxybuyrate (GHB)
Gammahydroxybuyrate (GHB) is a drug that can be synthesized by kitchen chemists. It acts as a central nervous system depressant, meaning that it slows down some of the bodys processes that are controlled by the brain. Some people take this drug to enhance their experience with alcohol (another central nervous system depressant) but this is a dangerous combination. At low doses, the effects of GHB are similar to that of alcohol, making the user feel happy, sociable and relaxed. Higher doses can bring on unwanted effects such as dizziness, vomiting, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness. GHB can cause amnesia, where a person does not remember what happened after taking the drug. The difference between the amount needed for intoxication and that needed for adverse effects is small. Because GHB slows down body processes, high doses of the drug can lead to respiratory depression and eventually coma. GHB has caused a number of deaths. GHB usually comes as a clear, odourless liquid, making it easy to slip into a persons drink. It has also been produced as a white crystalline powder.

Protecting yourself from predatory drugs

Dont leave your drink unattended while you are dancing, talking, using the bathroom or making a phone call Dont share or exchange drinks with anyone Bring your own drinks to parties If someone you dont know well offers to buy you a drink, accompany him or her and watch the drink being opened or poured and carry the drink yourself Drink only from bottles you have seen opened or drinks you have seen poured If you realize your drink has been left unattended, dont drink it Avoid drinking from punchbowls or from drinks that are being passed around

Rohypnol

Rohypnol is classified as a sedative/hypnotic drug, so it causes drowsiness, confusion and a general reduced level of consciousness. Other effects of rohypnol include impaired judgement, impaired motor skills and disinhibition...basically the same effects as alcohol. As with GHB, it is dangerous to mix rohypnol with alcohol, because each drug increases the effect of the other, including negative effects. The effects of rohypnol occur within 20-30 minutes of taking it. Rohypnol can cause deep sedation, respiratory distress, blackouts that can last up to 24 hours, and amnesia, where users forget events experienced while under the influence. In some cases, the drug has paradoxical effects and causes users to become aggressive. The potential for overdose or death can occur, especially when mixed with other drugs like alcohol. Besides being used as a predatory drug, rohypnol has also become popular as a club drug.

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