March 2005
Page 1 of 4
MDMA (ecstasy), Rohypnol, GHB, and
ketamine are among the drugs used by
teens and young adults who are part of
a nightclub, bar, rave, or trance scene.
Raves and trance events are generally
night-long dances, often held in ware-
houses. Many who attend raves and
trances do not use drugs, but those who
do may be attracted to their generally low
cost, and to the intoxicating highs that are
said to deepen the rave or trance experi-
ence. Current science, however, is show-
ing changes to critical parts of the brain
from use of these drugs.
Although national rates for hospital emer-
gency department (ED) mentions of club
drugs were low in 2002 (with none
exceeding 2 mentions per 100,000 popu-
lation) and no increases were measured
from 2001 to 2002, significant increases
in certain club drug mentions were ap-
parent from 1995 to 2002. MDMA ED
mentions, for example, increased from
421 in 1995 to 4,026 in 2002; and GHB
ED mentions increased from 145 in 1995
to 3,330 in 2002.*
MDMA (Ecstasy) ———
MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethampheta-
mine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug
chemically similar to the stimulant
methamphetamine and the hallucinogen
mescaline. Street names for MDMA
include “ecstasy,” “XTC,” and “hug drug.”
Drug use data sources for 21 metropolitan
areas nationwide indicate that MDMA,
once used primarily as a club drug, is
being used in a number of other social
settings.** In high doses, MDMA can inter-
fere with the body’s ability to regulate tem-
perature. This can lead to a sharp in-
crease in body temperature (hyperther-
mia), resulting in liver, kidney, and cardio-
vascular system failure. Because MDMA
can interfere with its own metabolism
(breakdown within the body), potentially
harmful levels can be reached by repeated
drug use within short intervals.
Research in humans suggests that chronic
MDMA use can lead to changes in brain
function, affecting cognitive tasks and
memory. MDMA can also lead to symp-
toms of depression several days after its
use. These symptoms may occur because