Young adults are very experimental these days. They are very curious about the things that are happening around them. This is actually a good thing especially because it can make them aware about their surroundings. As such, it can not be helped that they will encounter things that are not good for them. Most of the time, these things are prohibited and have limited access from them and it makes them want to know more. It can not be helped that this situation will happen that is why educating young people is very important.
One thing that young adults are using is called “club drugs”. These drugs are used at raves, trances, dance clubs, or bars (National Institute on Drug Abuse). The drugs are also used not only in these settings but also in other social events that young people usually go to (eMedicineHealth). Nevertheless, wherever they can be obtained, it has been increasing in popularity. Many adolescents are clueless with regard to the drugs’ effects and consequences to their health.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the club scene. Although it is technically not a “drug,” it is still addictive and has dangerous effects to a person’s health especially when taken for a prolonged period of time. It is offered in almost all kinds of dining establishments, including clubs. Alcohol is very accessible to everyone in the legal age, which is 21 (18 in some areas) and above. This is the reason why many people become addicted to it at a very young age. The decision in engaging in alcohol is affected by many factors including warning labels, public service announcements, health classes, and self-help groups (Boyd, et al, 1995). Alcohol use and abuse can severely affect people’s lives. It can cause violence, poor performance whether at home, school, or office, and even death. It can also cause health problems, specifically liver damage, when used for a very long time. Many people can not control themselves whenever they have had too much to drink. These are the times when go out of control and do things that they would not normally do. Because its long term effects are not seen immediately, young people do not hesitate to use and abuse it. Although there have been many solutions to the alcohol problem of the country like increasing the cost or limiting the number of stores where alcohols can be bought, many people, especially young adults, still gain access to it just by going to bars and clubs.
Another popular “club drug” is called ecstasy or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is a tablet, which can be taken orally. The drug should not be confused with liquid ecstasy or herbal ecstasy because these two drugs do not contain MDMA (Cann, 2002). Its effects include depression, sleeping problems, drug craving, anxiety, paranoia, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, hyperthermia, tachycardia, high blood pressure, hyponatremia, memory impairment, and rash (Focus Adolescent Services). When its effect is acting up, the person will be in a euphoric state and he or she will experience a feeling of love or “ecstasy.” Dancing increases the action of the drug, which can make it pleasurable for the user.
LSD is also one of the “club drug” choices of the young generation. It is usually color and odorless, and produces a slight bitter taste, as it is taken by mouth (The Anti Drug). It causes hallucinations, “bad trips,” and changes in the person’s mood. Its long-term effect is experiencing flashbacks that can happen several days after using or even years after. The drug is actually not considered addictive because it does not produce compulsive drug seeking behavior (New Zealand Drug Foundation).
Methamphetamine, or meth, is also a psycho-stimulant, which can be taken orally, intranasally, intravenously, or by smoking. Abuse of this drug has been increasing in rate over the years, whether by adults or young people. It produces a feeling of being “high.” Adverse effects can consist of increased body temperature, shaking, cardiac arrhythmia, anxiety, insomnia, aggressiveness, and hallucination (methamphetamine.org). Dependency to the drug is very common to users, which can result to depression and fatigue.
Aside from “club drugs,” another widely-used type of drugs are known as “date rape drugs.” These drugs are used to make a person incapacitated to be able to sexually assault them (Brown University). Because these drugs are tasteless, colorless, and odorless, they are very undetectable. This is the reason why it is popularly used. The drugs can make a person confused and not in control of what is happening to him or her. An individual will not have any memory of what occurred during the time he or she was on the drug.
One type of a “date rape drug” is ketamine. Its only source is through diversion of pharmaceutical products (streetdrugs.org). It is actually a veterinary anesthetic, which can be in the form of liquid or powder. Low dose of this drug can produce a relaxed feeling. On the other hand, when taken in large doses, it can produce a sensation of near-death or “K-hole.” The user will not feel any pain, which can cause injuries that are not intentional. The person will also lose the sense of time. He or she would have identity problems, which makes the drug effective as a “date rape drug.”
Another type of a “date rape drug” is called GHB or gamma-hydroxybutyrate. Because it is colorless and odorless, it can easily be slipped into a person’s drink in a club. This is the reason why it is classified as a “date rape drug.” It causes euphoria and has sexual enhancing effects. The most severe symptoms can include bradycardia, myoclonus, and coma. An “emergence phenomenon” occurs when the user starts to recover from its effects.
The most popular “date rape drug” is rohypnol. It is actually a prescription medication to counter anxiety symptoms. The drug produces a retrograde amnesia, which makes it a very good “date rape drug.” The person will have a hard time remembering what had happened while he or she was on the drug.
“Date rape drugs” can be avoided by awareness and education. Women, in particular, should not accept drinks from strangers in bars and clubs. It is advisable that they not leave their drinks anywhere, and if possible, women should just hold their drinks. In that way, they do not lose sight of the drink. These simple ways can avoid situations where strangers can slip off these drugs and make sexual advances.
These drugs have been increasing in popularity, be it a “club drug” or a “date rape drug.” The number of people that are brought to hospitals due to their side effects are also increasing. As well, there are more and more people who are becoming users of these drugs and the age group are getting younger and younger. This is the reason why there are numerous agencies and organizations that are offering help to those who have become addicted to the drugs, as well as psychological treatments for those who have been assaulted because of the so-called “date rape drug.” The government are finding ways to lessen the occurrence of these kinds of situations but it seems that there is no way to control it. The drugs are readily available on the streets where young people have great access. It is known that these young adults use the drugs for social interactions, its effects, and to deal with life.
Education about these drugs should be compulsory to all schools and universities. The younger generation should be aware with regard to what these drugs are and what they can do to a person’s health. They should be taught about the long-term side effects it can cause. As well, their side for using the drugs should be heard and understood. There are people who use the drugs just for the fun of it and the pleasure it can bring. There are some though, that uses the drugs because they want to “escape” from their problems. These people tend to have personal issues that should be dealt with by professionals. Medical treatments and counseling should be available to users. They should be helped as soon as dependency or usage is detected. Because drug and alcohol abuse is a very critical issue, people who are being treated from this should have their privacy. Relapse can occur at any time. It should also be noted that drug and alcohol abuse, or any other abuse for that matter, is destructive to one’s life.
Young adults should know that they can enjoy the social setting even without these drugs. “Clean” fun is always advisable. They should not listen to pushers who want to earn money out of them. Without using these substances, no one will get in to trouble and people will stay healthy. They can also experience true fun by enjoying the company of their friends, as well as being able to remember every detail of the party.
References
Boyd, Gayle M., and Jan Howard. Alcohol Problems among Adolescents: Current Directions in Prevention Research. United Kingdom: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1995.
Cann, Woody, and Jackie De Belleroche. Drink, Drugs and Dependence: From Science to Clinical Practice. New York: Routledge, 2002.
“Club Drugs.” 17 October 2005. The Anti Drug. 26 February 2008 ;http://www.emedicinehealth.com/club_drugs/article_em.htm#Club%20Drugs %20Introduction;
“Date Rape Drugs.” Brown University. 26 February 2008 ;http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/atod/drd.htm#88;
“Ecstasy (MDMA) and Club Drugs.” Focus Adolescent Sevices. 26 February 2008 ;http://www.focusas.com/Ecstasy.html;
“Ketamine.” Streetdrug.org. 26 February 2008. ;http://www.streetdrugs.org/ketamine.htm;
“LSD.” New Zealand Drug Foundation. 26 February 2008 ;http://www.nzdf.org.nz/lsd;
“Meth Overview.” Methamphetamine.org. 26 February 2008 ;http://www.methamphetamine.org/html/overview.html#effects;
“NIDA InfoFacts: Club Drugs.” May 2006. National Institute on Drug Abuse. 26 February 2008 ;http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/clubdrugs.html;
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