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Ecstasy
Ecstasy was patented by
the German pharmaceutical company Merck in the early 1900s.
Chemically, it is closely related to methadrine and is popular because it
typically creates in the user a feeling of warmth, closeness and
compatibility, while increasing energy levels. Its popularity began
growing in the 1970's and today it is used to enhance party experiences by
young people in many countries. Don't think that just because
someone doesn't go to "raves," they're not using Ecstasy.
It is also used recreationally, both in groups and individually.
The risks - While the popular media
continues to underreport the dangers inherent in Ecstasy, the emergency
rooms and funeral homes tell a much different story. The real-life
risks documented in Voice of the Victims include:
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"Bleeding Out" and dying.
When you take Ecstasy, you have no way of knowing what the effect will
be, especially the first time. There are many documented cases
of Ecstasy users suddenly overheating to temperatures of 108 degrees
F, causing them ultimately to "bleed out", as internal
organs melt and die. Bodies stay warm to the touch hours after
dying.
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Water poisoning. Ecstasy
also effects how the body metabolizes water. Because Ecstasy use
is often associated with long bouts of dancing, users frequently drink
plenty of water. When water metabolization breaks down, the body
retains dangerous amounts of water within. This leads to
swelling of the brain, which can lead to permanent brain injury or
death.
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Purity. People whose
motivation is profit, not purity, manufacture the drug clandestinely.
In order to increase profits, or hide their drugs from drug-sniffing
police dogs, they substitute impure drugs, like PMA, that can have
extremely damaging effects on users.
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Promiscuity. The
"lovey-dovey" feeling caused by Ecstasy can cause users to
be more promiscuous, in ways they normally wouldn't. Unprotected
sex is also more likely, leading to heightened risk of sexually
transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS.
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Brain damage. Ecstasy
works by tricking the brain into releasing large amounts of serotonin,
causing a false sense of euphoria. The chemistry involved in
accomplishing this trick is complex, and many doctors now believe the
process causes serotonin-releasing brain cells to be damaged or
destroyed. There is fear that this will lead to the creation of
masses of chronically depressed ex-Ecstasy users, or to a permanent
"E-tarded" condition - in other words, a life-long
continuation of the post-high spaciness (diminished mental capability)
many Ecstasy users suffer from.
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Parkinson's Disease. Many
scientists speculate that Ecstasy use may be linked to early onset of
Parkinson's Disease, a debilitating and permanent neural disorder.
We are awaiting the publication of a definitive study and will update
the Web site as soon as it is published.
Click
Here for signs that someone you know maybe using Ecstasy.
Ketamine
Ketamine (K, Special K,
Vitamin K) was developed in the 1960s. It is used as an animal
tranquilizer by veterinarians and as anesthetic by physicians. In
the late 1970s, Ketamine emerged as a recreational drug. Today, it
has resurfaced on the rave scene and is popular with both teens and young
adults. It is a strong hallucinogenic drug that impairs perceptions,
increases feelings of euphoria and distorts users' sense of time and
place.
The Risks
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Ketamine can cause extreme physical and
mental problems including delirium and amnesia.
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It can have irreversible effects on the
human motor system, impairing a person's ability to walk and perform
simple tasks.
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Taking Ketamine just one time can cause
fatal respiratory problems and severe brain damage. Erin Rose's
heart stopped for 18 minutes, leaving her with the mental capacity of
a young child, impaired speech and damaged motor skills. Through
months of rehabilitation, she is finally able to walk and talk again.
(More about
Erin Rose)
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Ketamine can be mixed
with other street drugs, intensifying the dangerous nature of its
effects. Ketamine, which comes in a powder form, can be
sprinkled on tobacco or marijuana or mixed with other powerful drugs
like LSD or speed (Methamphetamines).
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Along with GHB,
Ketamine has long been a drug of choice for rapists. It
dissolves in any liquid and can be slipped into an unsuspecting
victim's drink, after which he or she could be unconscious for hours.
Click
Here for signs that someone you know maybe using Ketamine.
GHB
GHB (gamma
hydroxybutyrate) is an odorless and tasteless liquid. It is
classified as a sedative and has long-lasting anesthetic effects on the
user. Users like the relaxed, euphoric feeling it provides, but
dosing is difficult. What is OK for one will knock out another.
A capful will make you feel intoxicated, but two capfuls could be fatal.
Although GHB has been
illegal in the United States for decades, it is still regularly used as a
general anesthetic in parts of Europe. In the past, the drug has
even been marketed to bodybuilders as an "herbal" supplement to
help increase muscle mass, despite evidence to support the claim.
"Herbal" is a stretch - GHB is a chemical concoction - basically
a mixture of floor stripper and drain cleaner.
Click here
for signs that someone you know maybe using GHB.
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