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| Designer Drugs |
What Are Designer
Drugs?
"Designer" drugs, are as defined by pharmacologists, drugs
of abuse that are:
- Made from common chemicals
- Exempt, at least initially, from control by Drug
Enforcement Administration regulations because of their chemical structure
- Skillfully marketed on the street as legal through
attractive, exotic names.
 Designer drugs are predominately amphetamines. Because
amphetamines can be easily modified, new drugs occasionally appear on the
streets. Although thought of as new, companies trying to find decongestants and
diet pills originally synthesized most of these drugs from 1940 to the 1960s,
to compete with other amphetamine base remedies. Many of the chemicals were too
toxic to be marketed at that time, have been rediscovered by today's illicit
drug dealers. Designer drugs are generally manufactured in clandestine
laboratories from readily available chemicals. These synthetic drugs can be
twice as powerful as cocaine or heroin, yet they cost little to produce.
Designer drugs should not be confused with "look-alikes" combinations of
ephedrine, caffeine and phenylpropanolamine (PPA), which are stimulants often
found in over-the-counter drugs. These are often sold on the street as more
powerful but illegal amphetamines.
What Is Ecstasy?
Other drugs chemically related to amphetamines include DOM (STP), MDA,
and MDMA. MDMA stands for methylendioxymethamphetamine. Called "Ecstasy" or "
Adam" on the streets, MDMA has maintained its popularity throughout the United
States, Canada, and Britain, despite that Drug Enforcement Administration's has
classified it as an illegal drug. Ecstasy is popular in the dance club crowds
and on college campuses. Ecstasy is a unique amphetamine derivative because it
causes hallucinations as well as feelings of exhilaration and excitement. In
effect, this drug combines the punch of amphetamines and LSD. Ecstasy and other
designer drugs work by releasing chemicals in the brain. After using designer
drugs, a user's mind is flooded with irrelevant and incoherent
thoughts.
What Are The Side Effects Of Ecstasy?
Many of
the problems users have encountered after using Ecstasy are psychological
confusion, depression, sleep problems, severe anxiety, and paranoia. In some
cases, users experienced psychotic episodes and then died after taking the
drug. Ecstasy can also cause lesser physical side-effects, including nausea,
chills, fainting, sweating, blurred vision, involuntary teeth clenching, and
rapid eye movement. Ecstasy may also cause permanent brain damage.
What Are AM F And Fentanyl Nitrate?
Until a string of
recent deaths, the public was unaware of the strength of designer drugs. Two
such drugs, 3-methyl fentanyl (Fentanyl Nitrate) and alpha-methyl- fentanyl
(AMF) were created to replace morphine, the active ingredient in heroin. AMP
was the first substance to be called a designer drug. Commonly referred to as
"China White," "Persian White" and "Mexican Brown" on the street, these drugs
are 3000 times more potent than morphine or heroin. Responsible for over 100
overdoses in California alone, there is little difference between a dose that
produces euphoria and one that is fatal. Many deaths occur because users
believe they are using heroin and shoot up their normal dose. Some victims die
so rapidly they never get the needle out of their arm.
What Is
GHB?
Gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB) is a depressant of the central
nervous system approved as an anesthetic in some countries. Except for
research, it is not approved for any use in the United States. In the past
couple years, GHB has become a commonly abused drug, all but replacing Ecstasy
as the chic drug of choice. Commonly referred to as "Liquid Ecstasy," "Grievous
Bodily Harm," "Georgia Home Boy," J/Liquid X," "G- Riffick," and J/Organic
Quaalude," it is available on the street as a liquid and is sold in small
plastic bottles. Each bottle contains approximately nine doses and, at
about $10 a bottle, is not only potent, but very cheap. Primarily used by
people at parties and nightclubs, GHB is one of several drugs now characterized
as a date rape drug. amphetamines. GHB is found nat- urally in every cell in
the human body and is considered a nutrient. Both Ecstasy and GHB enhance the
sense of touch, but GHB has sedative effects causing users to go to sleep or
fall into a helpless, immobile state.
What Are The Effects Of
GHB?
GHB was first synthesized as an anesthetic to be used in
surgery about 30 years ago. Due to the unpredictable side effects, the medical
community soon discarded it. Later, physicians realized the hormonal benefits
of the drug and used it to promote muscle growth and weight loss. During the
late 1980s, further research was conducted because GHB was becoming popular
among body builders. Until 1991, GHB was a legal over-the-counter drug. In that
year, the FDA restricted its use to licensed researchers only. GHB affects
users like Ecstacy. Its chemical composition differs greatly. Ecstasy is a
relative of amphetamines. GHB is found naturally in every cell in the human
body and is considered a nutrient. Both Ecstasy and GHB enhance the sense of
touch, but GHB has sedative effects causing users to go to sleep or fall into a
helpless, immobile state. during August 1995, through September 1996, poison
control centers in New York and Texas received reports of 69 overdoses and one
death from GHB. This one fact alone proves that terms such as natural, organic,
or supplement do not imply safety or legality. The negative effects of GHB are
well documented - nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, amnesia,
epileptic seizures, or even comas. Side effects of GHB can last from a few
hours to as long as two weeks. Other common side effects are head- aches,
reduced heart rate, sudden drop in blood pressure and car- diac and respiratory
suppression can occur. These side effects led the FDA to make the drug illegal.
ocybe mushrooms are addictive. In strong doses they cause paranoia and panic.
Paranoid users may hurt themselves or others. Because the active ingredients in
these drugs are chemically related to LSD, their side effects are similar.
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