Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jan 2002
Source: Huntsville Times (AL)
Copyright: 2002 The Huntsville Times
Contact:  http://www.htimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/730

THE FACTS ON "CLUB" DRUGS

Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate, or GHB

A capful of GHB has the same effect as five to six beers.

People sitting normally breathe 15 to 20 times a minute. A person using GHB 
slows down to four to six breaths a minute. The oxygen deprivation often 
causes the user to turn blue. Use of GHB also causes people to lose their 
gag reflex, often resulting in users dying from drowning in their own vomit.

There is no antidote for GHB. Life-support measures must be taken if 
someone overdoses on GHB. The drug affects people differently. There is no 
safe dosage of GHB. One capful might not affect one person but might kill 
another.

Detoxification for most drugs usually takes three to five days. For GHB, 
the treatment is 10 to 14 days. Former GHB addicts say withdrawal from the 
drug is so painful they want to kill themselves. The drug has caused many 
suicides.

MDMA, or Ecstasy

Ecstasy causes visual distortion, making it dangerous for users to drive. 
It is a hallucinogen, but users don't see monsters. If they see a stairway, 
the steps look different sizes to them.

The drug causes brain damage; Ecstasy also causes teeth grinding so severe 
it leads to permanent dental damage. Users often suck on pacifiers, 
lollipops or anything to try to prevent the teeth grinding.

It's known as the "hug drug" because Ecstasy increases the sensation of any 
touch. Kids using it will rub Vick's Vapor Rub on their face and cover it 
with a dust mask because it makes breathing feel good.

Ecstasy causes the body temperature to rise to alarming levels, creating 
the need for lots of water. Ecstasy users have died from heat stroke and in 
traffic accidents after trying to drive.

Butterfly wings are the universal symbol for Ecstasy.

Source: Trinka Porrata
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens