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AREA POLICE OFFICERS LEARN ABOUT RAVE DRUGS

ROANOKE RAPIDS - In the last six months the uniformed division of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department has confiscated more so-called rave drugs than they saw all of last year.

Officers expect to see more drugs such as ecstasy and Ketamine make their way into the Roanoke Valley.

"It hasn't been as prevalent as crack and marijuana but it's starting to come to rural areas," said Capt.  Greg Lawson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

"It's the same euphoric feeling of happiness, love and joy," said Roanoke Rapids Narcotics Agent Tommy Hathaway, who compared the use of rave drugs to the use of acid in the 1960's.

Approximately 70 officers from various agencies around the area met twice to learn more about these drugs, also known as club drugs.

These drugs are used at all-night dances called raves where promoters rent barns, arenas or warehouses to stage big parties which are usually advertised through flyers to a select group of people.  Techno music is played at these dances and strobe and black lights are used.

While no alcohol is sold at these parties the rave drugs are, Lawson said.

The drugs are used to enhance the dancing, which goes on for hours.  The drugs can dehydrate the dancers, hence the reason bottled water is sold for $5-$6 and some raves have specially air condition rooms.

"Kids have actually died of dehydration," Lawson said.

Officers are concerned about rave drugs because of the proximity of Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County to major colleges and universities and metropolitan areas where raves are regularly held.

The high that drugs like ecstasy and Ketamine produce, can last between three to six hours depending on how much and what kind are taken.

While ecstasy has no known human medical uses, Ketamine is used an animal anesthetic.

"Any of those two pose a significant risk," said Hathaway.  "All of them have the possibility of stopping the heart."

Ketamine can be taken orally, injected or snorted.  Ecstasy is taken orally.  They both produce hallucinogenic effects and raise the heart rate and body temperature.

Purchasing ecstasy and other club drugs is not as easy as purchasing crack or marijuana.  There is an entire lingo among rave drug users that makes it impossible for someone outside the circles to purchase the drugs.

"People who use rave drugs don't feel they're getting the stigmatism of being a crack head," Lawson said.

To local officers knowledge there have been no raves held in Roanoke Rapids, although they say they could possibly see them in the future.  "I could see someone having the gumption to have one," Hathaway said.  "They're selling bottled water for five to six dollars.  There are fees going in and going out.  Your more likely to see it in the county than the city."

Ecstasy pills usually cost between $25-$35, Hathaway said.