N.C. Raves: Drug presence
Raves, media, and the law : Drug presence (2 of 9)

 

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Many critics of the rave scene focus on the presence of illegal drugs. Crystal methamphetamine (shown here), MDMA (or Ecstasy), marijuana and ketamine are popular illegal drugs at parties. MORE
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Copyright ©1998 Jim Webb. All rights reserved.


To what extent drugs are a part of raves in North Carolina is a hot topic of debate. Though many ravers say drugs aren't necessary to enjoy raves, their presence ranges from understated to blatant, depending on the party and the people. As raves gain mainstream popularity, drugs not typically associated with the rave scene sometimes appear -- such as alcohol, heroin, and crack. Among drug users at raves, the most popular substances include:

Crystal methamphetamine, a powerful stimulant, primarily boosts energy for dancing. It can be injected, smoked, taken orally, or snorted, with effects lasting two to twelve hours. Because crystal meth can be synthesized from certain over-the-counter decongestants, it's very cheap and contamination with other chemicals is typical. "You can make it in your bathroom," says Timothy Ives, professor of pharmacy and family medicine at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "A lye is the base that puts [the decongestant] in the different form, so Drano might be used. It can mixed with other things, too, and the user has no idea. LSD, PCP, you name it." Police Officer Jack Cates, who confiscated crystal meth and ecstasy at a rave in Durham, found that many of the drugs were laced. "Most of the stuff contained a morphine-type substance and some type of cocaine derivative. "

The effects of crystal meth are powerful and long-lasting. "If you get pumped up from this stuff, you feel pretty good," says Ives. "It's got a euphoric effect. Some people suggest it's an aphrodisiac." Coming down can be just as powerful, says Ives. "The term is 'the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,'" he says. "When the blood levels start to drop, the resulting depression can be profound." The desire to take another hit makes crystal meth a highly habit-forming drug, and users can binge for days. "I've seen 14-year-olds jacked on crystal who haven't eaten or slept in a week because they've gotta party, party, party," says Jennifer Grossman, a raver from Chapel Hill.

Ecstasy (also known as MDMA, E, or X), a euphoriant related to methamphetamine, induces feelings of affection and well-being. Tactile contact becomes highly pleasurable, and the user's energy is boosted for several hours.

"It's sort of like plain old amphetamines, but a lot of folks like it because it's got a euphoric effect," says Professor Ives. "They used to call it the 'love drug' because users felt really good, they weren't irritable or anxious, and they could open up and express themselves." Indeed, the drug was advocated by a small group of psychiatrists in the mid-1980s to help some patients open up.

Because the effects are similar to a variety of amphetamines, other drugs and mixtures of drugs can easily masquerade as Ecstasy. "The name is used for 101 things," says Ives, "A lot of different pieces of garbage on the street are called E." "Man, this is heavy smack," said one partygoer after vomiting a dose of ecstasy, apparently laced with heroin, outside a Raleigh rave. Officer Cates, too, has seen impure Ecstasy. "One guy told us that he made his own [Ecstasy]," says Cates, "and that it contained heroin, PCP, cocaine and LSD -- he crushed it all together."

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic related to PCP and causing similar effects. Low doses cause mild depression, then a period of stimulation lasting 1-2 hours. Medium doses behave as a stimulant, boosting energy while numbing the senses. Mild hallucinations may also occur. At higher doses, ketamine induces a catatonic state, often called a "k-hole" by ravers. Because ketamine is manufactured by drug companies for use by veterinarians (and occasionally as a human anesthetic), the drug may be easier to find in a clean form, though it is sometimes cut with other drugs.

Hallucinogens, including psilocybin (or "psychedelic" mushrooms) and LSD, cause sensory changes and hallucinations, distorting the perception of time and space. Effects last 8-12 hours. LSD and psilocybin are less often cut with other drugs, though it's not unheard of. The potential for addiction to LSD and psilocybin are low, though some people experience very unpleasant "bad trips" and flashbacks may sometimes occur long after use. Caffeine and marijuana are also popular. Alcohol is rare at raves, partly because establishments stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m., but mostly because alcohol's effect as a depressant doesn't lend itself to all-night dancing. TOP