Ecstasy and Club Drugs+
The club or rave experience typically involves music, dancing, and socializing and usually lasts through the night. Drugs commonly used in these settings include ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA); GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) and its chemical precursors, GBL (gamma butyrolactone) and BDL (1,4 butanediol); ketamine; Rohypnol® (flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine no longer marketed in the United States); nitrous oxide (laughing gas); LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide, “acid”); psilocybin mushrooms (“shrooms”); and DXM (dextromethorphan, a mild hallucinogen in some over-the-counter cough medications). Club drugs are commonly combined with one another and with other illicit drugs or alcohol.
As reported in the last two Pulse Checks, treatment sources have less first-hand knowledge of club drug activity than their law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic counterparts, indicating that club drug users have not entered treatment in large numbers. The amount of information received from Pulse Check sources remains much greater for ecstasy than for other club drugs.
Although these drugs are categorized as club drugs, the settings and contexts of their use continue to expand to settings other than nightclubs, raves, and college campuses, to include streets and in or around high schools. Moreover, Pulse Check sources continue to suggest that White non-Hispanics are no longer the exclusive sellers and users of the drugs, and reports that ecstasy is sold with heroin, crack, and powder cocaine continue. Finally, in this reporting period, adolescents have increased markedly as ecstasy sellers and users, according to sources in many Pulse Check cities.
Exhibit 1.
Where is ecstasy emerging across the 20 Pulse Check cities?
Ecstasy reported as emerging in fall 2001 Ecstasy was not reported as emerging in fall 2001 What club drugs are emerging in Pulse Check communities?
(Exhibit 1) Nearly identical to the last Pulse Check, ecstasy is reported as an emerging drug of abuse by 21 sources in 16 cities across the Nation, with no regional patterns evident. Other club drugs mentioned as emerging this reporting period include GHB in Los Angeles, DXM (sold as ecstasy) in Memphis, and ketamine in New Orleans. In only four cities (Columbia, [SC], Miami, St. Louis, and Seattle) are club drugs not reported as emerging, but in all of those cities, they were reported as emerging last reporting period, suggesting they are now established drugs of abuse in those communities.How available are club drugs in Pulse Check communities?
(Exhibits 2 and 3) Nearly identical to reports in the last two issues of Pulse Check, ecstasy (typically in pill form) is considered widely or somewhat available by nearly 90 percent of law enforcement and epidemiologic/ ethnographic sources. Only three sources continue to report it as not very available: the law enforcement source in El Paso and the epidemiologic sources in Billings and New Orleans. Moreover, ecstasy availability has increased according to more than half of sources, with no regional patterns evident. Only the New Orleans epidemiologic source reports declines in availability.GHB, typically in liquid form, is not nearly as available as ecstasy, with only 38 percent of sources reporting it as somewhat or widely available and 55 percent reporting it as not very or not available. As reported in the last two issues of Pulse Check, cities where wide availability is reported are predominantly in the West or South: Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, and (in the Northeast) New York. In contrast with ecstasy availability trends, GHB availability remained stable, according to most (68 percent) sources. Increases are noted in Boston (probably due to increased law enforcement awareness of the drug), Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orleans, and Sioux Falls, and declines are reported mostly in midwestern cities (Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis) and (in the South) Washington, DC.
Ketamine availability is increasing at low levels in Chicago and Columbia (SC) and at higher levels in Honolulu and New Orleans. It is declining in Philadelphia. Other club drugs available in Pulse Check cities include LSD, typically as a liquid or sprayed on blotter paper, which is somewhat available and increasing in Denver and Portland (ME). Rohypnol® is widely available in El Paso and Los Angeles at stable levels.
How are club drugs and their combinations referred to across the country?
(Exhibit 4) Slang terms for ecstasy are similar across the Nation. It continues to be referred to as “X,” “XTC,” and “Adam,” but “E” and “roll” are also used. The practice of taking ecstasy is often referred to as “rolling.” Ecstasy continues to be referred to by its logo or the shape of the pill in many Pulse Check cities: for example, it is called “shamrock” in St. Louis and “four-leaf clover” in Columbia, SC, because pills may be clover shaped. New slang terms continue to be coined, indicating the continuing popularity of ecstasy.GHB continues to be referred to as “G” and ketamine as “K” or “special K.” Other terms for these drugs vary by locality, with no particular regional patterns. Use of particular combinations of club drugs varies by city, highlighting that multisubstance use or “cafeteria-style use” remains common among club drug users.
ECSTASY: THE DRUG
What form is ecstasy in, and how is it labeled and packaged? (Exhibit 5) According to law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic sources, the tablet form of ecstasy remains, by far, the most available, followed by powder and liquid forms. As reported in the last Pulse Check, ecstasy tablets are white or colored, round or sometimes shaped like diamonds or clovers, and many are pressed with designs and logos that change periodically. Designs on ecstasy tablets common across the country are similar to those reported in the last Pulse Check and include “E,” “mitubishi,” “nike,” and various cartoon characters. Other designs and logos vary by city.
Overwhelmingly, law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic respondents continue to agree that ecstasy tablets are sold as loose (or “naked”) pills. Additionally, pills are often packaged in small plastic bags and in plastic prescription bottles. Packaging remains similar to that reported during the last reporting period, except in Seattle, where sellers do not sell individual, loose pills as often as before. Now, in that city, rather than buyers being in charge of how many tablets they want, the dealers increase their profits by only selling increments of 5 or 10 tablets per transaction. The Denver law enforcement source reports a similar new phenomenon.
Exhibit 4.
How are club drugs and club drug combinations referred to across Pulse Check cities?
Drug or drug combination Slang term City Ecstasy
The bean, beans Denver, Memphis, and Miami Tabs Memphis, New Orleans, and St. Louis Beads, ills, illy, pills Denver Dice, four-leaf clover, smurfs Columbia, SC Candy, shamrock
Charity, double stacks,St. Louis lovers' special Memphis Hype Washington, DC Love pill, sky Portland, ME Sex drug Billings Tachas El Paso The practice of taking ecstasy Flipping Boston The use of more than one ecstasy tablet sequentially Piggybacking St. Louis The use of three or more ecstasy tablets in combination Stacking St. Louis Ecstasy (adulterated with amphetamine) Speedies Sioux Falls Ecstasy (adulterated with mescaline) Snackies Sioux Falls Ecstasy (adulterated with heroin or crack) Stacks Memphis Ecstasy + heroin (dealer shaves a slice of ecstasy into a bag of heroin) Moonstone, on the ball New York Ecstasy + LSD Candy flip Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia Trolling Boston, Miami Ecstasy + GHB, ketamine, or nitrous oxide E sitting, Sitting E St. Louis Ecstasy, then GHB Parachute down Miami Ecstasy + ketamine Kitty flipping Los Angeles Ecstasy + methamphetamine Hugs and kisses, super X Miami Ecstasy + powder cocaine Bumping up Miami GHB Caps, liquid G Chicago Date rape drug
Billings Easy lay Philadelphia Funk, holy water Denver G juice St. Louis Gamma New Orleans Scoop Miami Sleep Portland, ME Water Sioux Falls Ketamine Cat, thunder Columbia, SC Kitty, in the K-hole Denver Rohypnol Roche, roche2, roaches, cruzettas El Paso DXM Triple C, CCC Denver, Los Angeles Drex, dex Washington, DC Skittles Denver Sources: Law enforcement, epidemiologic/ethnographic, and treatment provider respondents Note: A term in bold face indicates that it is reported as new to the respondent's community since the last reporting period.
Exhibit 5.
How are ecstasy pills labeled in reporting Pulse Check cities?
City Label 
Boston, MA Bulldogs, calvin klein, hearts, lightning bolts, mcdonald’s, nike, playboy, tulips, yin and yang signs Philadelphia, PA Michelin, mitsubishi Portland, ME E 
Baltimore, MD XXX Columbia, SC Diamonds, elephants, mercedes, mickey mouse El Paso, TX E (red tablets) Memphis, TN Arrowheads, mercedes, motorola, teletubbies New Orleans, LA Cartoon characters, knight heads, nike, stars Washington, DC Animals, E, igloos, mercedes, pikachu 
Chicago, IL Cartoon characters, CK (calvin klein) mitsubishi, motorola Detroit, MI Butterflies, fish, mitsubishi St. Louis, MO Mitsubishi, playboy, clovers Sioux Falls, SD Elephants, mitsubishi, nike, sun faces 
Denver, CO Cartoon characters, clovers, stars Honolulu, HI Happy faces, sunshines Los Angeles, CA Blue dolphins, doves, ferrari, green apples, smiley faces Sources: Law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic respondents
Note: A logo in bold face indicates that it is newly reported this reporting period.
How much does a pill (one dose) of ecstasy cost in 18 Pulse Check cities?*
City Price Boston, MA $20–$25 New York, NY $12–$25 (in street)
$25–$38 (in clubs)Philadelphia, PA $20–$35 Portland, ME $25 Columbia, SC $20–$35 El Paso, TX $5–$8 Memphis, TN $5–$30 Miami, FL $20–$35 Washington, DC $18–$35 Chicago, IL $20–$30 Detroit, MI $20–$40 St. Louis, MO $30 Sioux Falls, SD $30–$50 Billings, MT $25 Denver, CO $10–$30 Honolulu, HI $20–$45 Los Angeles, CA $20–$40 Seattle, WA $20–$30 Sources: Law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic respondents
*Sources in Baltimore and New Orleans did not provide this information. Northeast South Midwest WestWhat are street-level ecstasy prices across the country?
(Exhibit 6) The most commonly reported unit of ecstasy sold is one tablet (approximately 100–150 milligrams in Miami, 150–250 milligrams in Seattle, and 30 milligrams in Chicago), selling at $12–$38 in the Northeast, $5–$35 in the South, $20–$50 in the Midwest, and $10–$40 in the West. Since the last reporting period, prices have remained relatively stable. In several cities, including Honolulu and New York, ecstasy prices depend on where it is sold. For example, in Honolulu, it is $2–$3 cheaper per pill in high schools than on the street, and in New York, prices are higher in clubs than on the street. Moreover, in that city, clubgoers in Greenwich Village claim that because ecstasy costs are so high, people are reverting to using LSD.What adulterants are added to ecstasy?
Ecstasy may be adulterated with a variety of other substances, most commonly hallucinogens, such as mescaline in Memphis and Sioux Falls, LSD in Denver, peyote in Columbia (SC), and PCP in Detroit. Stimulants, such as amphetamines in Sioux Falls, methamphetamine in Memphis, and paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) in Detroit, are also reported as common adulterants. Additionally, heroin, crack, and powder cocaine are reportedly used as ecstasy adulterants in Memphis, and a variety of stimulants and hallucinogens are reportedly used in Seattle, where there are anecdotal reports of increases in the use of these adulterants.
Exhibit 7.
Has the number of novice ecstasy users in treatment changed (spring 2001 vs fall 2001)?*ECSTASY: THE SELLERS
Who sells ecstasy?
Street-level ecstasy sellers continue to be independent, according to most (21 of 28) law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic respondents. Young adults (18–30 years) continue to be the predominant street-level ecstasy sellers, according to most (19 of 28) respondents. However, adolescents are the predominant sellers in El Paso, New Orleans, and Seattle, and young adults and adolescents are evenly split in Detroit, Memphis, St. Louis, and Sioux Falls. According to the law enforcement source in Denver, adolescents are selling single pills and often use the drug, but adults sell larger quantities of the drug and do not typically use it. (A summary of ecstasy sales characteristics appears in exhibit 9 at the end of this section.)Are ecstasy sellers involved in other crimes?
Most law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic respondents report that street-level ecstasy sellers are not typically involved in other crimes or violence. However, the most common crime associated with ecstasy dealers is drug-assisted rape, as reported in eight Pulse Check cities: Columbia (SC), Denver, El Paso, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orleans, and New York. According to the Memphis epidemiologist, crimes associated with ecstasy have become less violent and less gang related since the last reporting period.
Since the last Pulse Check, reports of other drugs of abuse, including heroin and cocaine, sold by ecstasy dealers have continued:
Columbia, SCL: Powder cocaine is sold with ecstasy.
Memphis, TNE: Ecstasy dealers sell virtually any drug because “you can get anything if you can get ecstasy.”
Miami, FLE: Now people who sell marijuana, cocaine, and heroin on the street also sell ecstasy.
New York, NYL: The trend toward polydrug sales (crack, powder cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy) continues, and “everyone wants to be involved in ecstasy sales” because they are lucrative.
Washington, DCL: Crack cocaine dealers continue to be increasingly involved in ecstasy sales.
Where is ecstasy sold?
The geographic locations of ecstasy sales are mostly suburbs, followed by central city areas, according to law enforcement and epidemiologic/ ethnographic respondents. Ecstasy is mostly sold indoors, typically in raves and nightclubs or bars. Other frequently mentioned settings include college campuses, followed by in or around high schools, private residences, and private parties. Streets are mentioned as sales settings in 10 Pulse Check cities: Billings, Denver, El Paso, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, New York, Sioux Falls, and Washington, DC. According to the New York ethnographer, some dealers sell ecstasy from their houses because the drug sells so well “that they don’t need to sell it in clubs.”
How have street-level ecstasy sales changed between spring and fall 2001?
Ecstasy seller populations continue to expand to include more high school age sellers:
Billings, MTL: The drug is more commonly sold and used by high school and college students than before.
Los Angeles, CAL: More adolescents are selling and using than before, and these sellers tend to be independent.
Miami, FLL: Young adults are increasingly involved, especially via connections through high schools.
St. Louis, MOE: As reported in the last Pulse Check, adolescents continue to be increasingly involved in sales, with an expansion from college age to high school age sellers. That expansion, however, may be starting to level off.
New seller groups continue to include various races and ethnicities:
Memphis, TNL: More Blacks are selling the drug.
Miami, FLL: Various ethnic groups are now involved in club drug (typically ecstasy) sales. Contacts at schools, nightclubs, and raves are making it possible for a wider variety of groups to become involved.
Washington, DCL: Some ecstasy is being sold and bought in the Black community.Sellers there are Black and are often street (open-air market) dealers of crack cocaine.
Ecstasy sales settings have also continued to expand, especially to the streets:
Memphis, TNL,E: The epidemiologic source states that ecstasy sales are moving out of the city: they are now equally likely to take place in central city and suburban areas. The law enforcement source agrees that sales are expanding to other areas of the city.
Miami, FLE: Ecstasy sales used to be limited to raves, clubs, and private residences, but now people who sell marijuana, cocaine, and heroin also sell ecstasy, and this is occurring in the street.
New York, NYE: Ecstasy sales on the street are emerging.
St. Louis, MOE: Sales continue to expand, as reported in the last Pulse Check, from raves to schools and from the central city to the suburbs—but this reporting period the expansion is occurring at a slower rate.
Washington, DCL: More ecstasy sales occur on the street since the last reporting period, most likely because crack cocaine dealers are now involved in ecstasy sales.
What other drugs do ecstasy dealers sell?
The most common other drugs sold are club drugs, including GHB, ketamine, and LSD. Marijuana is sold by ecstasy dealers in six cities (Billings, El Paso, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, and Sioux Falls), methamphetamine in three cities (Billings, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC), and other pills, typically benzodiazepines or opiates, in Memphis and Philadelphia.ECSTASY: THE USERS
How has the number of novice ecstasy users in treatment changed?
(Exhibit 7) According to 10 treatment respondents in 8 Pulse Check cities, the number of novice ecstasy users in treatment (defined as any drug treatment client who has recently begun using ecstasy) has increased since the last reporting period. However, the number declined according to the methadone treatment source in New Orleans. It is important to note that treatment clients who report using ecstasy tend to report it as their secondary substance of abuse, with marijuana or alcohol typically reported as the primary substance of abuse.Who uses ecstasy?
According to epidemiologic/ethnographic sources, ecstasy users tend to be young adults (18–30 years). However, according to non-methadone treatment sources, ecstasy users are often adolescents, as reported in Columbia (SC), Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami. They are often evenly split between young adults and adolescents, as reported in Philadelphia and Sioux Falls. Ecstasy users tend to be evenly split between the genders, more so than with any other drug (see exhibit 6 of the crack cocaine section). Whites predominate as ecstasy users in nearly all cities. The socioeconomic status of ecstasy users ranges from low in Baltimore to middle-high in Detroit, Denver, Honolulu, Memphis, St. Louis, and Sioux Falls. User residences are predominantly in the suburbs, followed by central city areas.Where do users take ecstasy?
As reported in the last Pulse Check, nearly all epidemiologic and treatment sources report that ecstasy is used predominantly in groups or among friends typically at raves, nightclubs or bars, and private parties. Other common use settings are similar to sales settings, including private residences, college campuses, and in or around high schools. Streets are reported as user settings in Denver, Memphis, Sioux Falls, and Washington, DC.How and with what other drugs is ecstasy taken?
Oral ingestion of an ecstasy tablet continues to be, by far, the most common route of administration. Alternate routes of administration include injecting tablets dissolved in water in Boston, Miami (where the practice is increasing), and St. Louis; anal insertion in Billings and Memphis; and crushing tablets and snorting them in El Paso and Sioux Falls.
How have ecstasy users and use patterns changed between between spring and fall 2001?
Similar to the expansion of adolescents (13–17 years) among seller groups, ecstasy use continues to be increasingly reported among adolescents, as reported in eight Pulse Check cities:
In six cities where young adults (18–30 years) predominate, emerging users are adolescents: Baltimore, Billings, Boston, El Paso, Miami, and St. Louis.
Memphis, TNE: Although the predominant user age is split between young adults and adolescents, emerging users are predominantly adolescents. Furthermore, those with high SES are increasingly using the drug.
Sioux Falls, SDN: Ecstasy use increased, especially among adolescents. Typically, it is the secondary substance to alcohol, but that may be changing for younger users. Young novice users may start with ecstasy instead, and it is increasingly reported as their primary drug of abuse.
Similar to expanding seller groups, ecstasy use continues to expand to non-White and Hispanic populations, as reported in six Pulse Check cities:
Boston, MAE: Although Whites continue to predominate, use is increasing among Black youth.
Los Angeles, CAE: While Whites remain the predominant users, use is increasing among Blacks (especially those involved in the “hip-hop crowd”) and among Asian/Pacific Islanders.
Miami, FLE: Hispanics are the predominant user group, but Blacks are emerging users.
New York, NYE: While young adult, middle socioeconomic Whites continue to be the predominant users, lower socioeconomic Black and Hispanic young adults continue to emerge as ecstasy users.
St. Louis, MON: While Whites predominate, Blacks are emerging as ecstasy users.
Washington, DCE: The club scene has started moving into the Black community, but the numbers are still small.
Ecstasy use continues to expand to new settings (typically high schools and streets) in several cities:
Boston, MAE: Ecstasy use is becoming more common as a drug of abuse in high schools.
Detroit, MIN: Emerging user settings include high schools and public housing developments.
St. Louis, MOE: Ecstasy activity in high schools is emerging.
Baltimore, MDE: During the last reporting period ecstasy was used primarily in club settings, now adolescents access it in school and on the street.
Memphis, TNE: Ecstasy is increasingly used in private. Additionally, street use, which was not mentioned during the last reporting period, has become more common during the current period.
Interestingly, as ecstasy use settings expand to include settings other than raves, in some cities, the number and popularity of raves may be declining:
Denver, CON: Raves may be phasing out, and club drug use is down, most likely because of high-profile deaths involving ecstasy.
Los Angeles, CAE: Use and sales are spreading from raves to other places, such as private residences, college campuses, and nightclubs and bars. The most notable shift is from the rave culture into the “hip-hop” culture.
New Orleans, LAE: Raves no longer take place in this city.
Ecstasy is taken either in combination with or sequentially with a wide variety of other drugs, most commonly marijuana and other club drugs, including GHB, ketamine, LSD, DXM, and nitrous oxide. It is taken with powder cocaine or prescription pills in Miami; with heroin in St. Louis; and with methamphetamine in Denver. Additionally, since the last Pulse Check, other combinations have become more consistently reported, including ecstasy plus powder cocaine, crack, heroin, methamphetamine, PCP, prescription pills, or over-the-counter inhalers, according to the Memphis epidemiologic source. In Boston and Columbia, the sequential use of marijuana with ecstasy is increasing.
Exhibit 8.
What are club drug prices?
City Most Common Unit Sold Price GHB Boston, MA Capful (GBL) (one dose) $5 Chicago, IL Shot or capful (one dose) $5–$10 Denver, CO Capful (one dose) $5–$10 Los Angeles, CA Shot or capful (one dose)
16-ounce bottle$5–$20
$65–$100Memphis, TN Capful (one dose) $40 Miami, FL Pill (one dose) $10 New Orleans, LA Shot (one dose) $5–$20 New York, NY 1 gram (one dose) $30 Philadelphia, PA Vial (one dose) $10–$20 Ketamine Boston, MA Capful (one dose)
Bottle (1 ounce)$5
$50Columbia, SC Vial (1/2 ounce) $125 Philadelphia, PA Vial (one dose) $10–$20 Washington, DC Bag (1/8 gram)
Bag (150 milligrams)
Bag (3/8 gram)$20
$25
$50Rohypnol® El Paso, TX Pill (one dose) $10 Los Angeles, CA Pill (one dose) $6–$10 Philadelphia, PA Pill (one dose) $10 LSD Chicago, IL Strip (one dose) $5 Honolulu, HI Hit (one dose) $4–$6 Philadelphia, PA Tab (one dose) $3–$5 Seattle, WA One dose $5 Nitrous Oxide Philadelphia, PA Balloon (one dose) $5 Sources: Law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic sources
Exhibit 9.
What are the predominant characteristics of club drug sellers and sales?
Characteristics Ecstasy GHB and its precursors Ketamine Age 18–30 years 18–30 years 18–30 years Organization Independent Independent Independent Likeliness to be involved with other crimes or violence Not very likely, with the exception of drug-assisted rape Somewhat likely, especially non-violent crimes and drug-assisted rape Somewhat likely Likeliness to use the drug Somewhat or very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat likely Indoors or outdoors Indoors and outdoors Indoors Indoors Most common settings Raves, nightclubs/bars, college campuses, in or around high schools, private residences and parties, but vary widely Nightclubs/bars, raves, the Internet, college campuses, health food stores Nightclubs/bars, raves, and private parties Most common other drugs sold with the drug Other club drugs (GHB, ketamine, LSD), marijuana Ecstasy, LSD NR Major changes since the last reporting period in seller group characteristics Expanding to include more high school age sellers and other races/ethnicities No major changes reported No major changes reported Major changes since the last reporting period in sales settings Expanding to include the streets and in or around high schools Health food stores are selling products containing new GHB precursors: GVL and GHV No major changes reported Sources: Law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic respondents
Exhibit 10.
What are the predominant characteristics of club drug users and use?
Characteristics Ecstasy GHB and its precursors Ketamine Age 18–30 years, followed closely by
13–17 years18–30 years 18–30 years Gender Both Males, sometimes bodybuilders Males Race/ethnicity Whites Whites Whites Socioeconomic status Middle, but varies widely Middle Middle Residence Suburbs Suburbs Suburbs Indoors or outdoors Indoors Indoors Indoors Most common settings Raves, nightclubs/bars, private parties and residences, college campuses, and high schools, but vary widely Private residences and parties, nightclubs/bars, and raves Private residences and parties, nightclubs/bars, and college campuses Most common other Marijuana, other club drugs (GHB, Ecstasy Marijuana Most common other drugs used with the drug Marijuana, other club drugs (GHB, ketamine, DXM, LSD) but vary widely Ecstasy Marijuana Major changes since the last reporting period in user characteristics Expanding to include adolescents and other races/ethnicities No major changes reported No major changes reported Major changes since the last reporting period in use settings Expanding to include the streets; rave popularity may be declining in several cities. No major changes reported No major changes reported Sources: Epidemiologic/ethnographic and treatment provider respondents
OTHER CLUB DRUGS: THE DRUGS
(Exhibit 8)GHB continues to be available most often as a liquid (typically clear), followed by a powder, as reported by law enforcement and epidemiologic/ ethnographic sources. The drug continues to be packaged mostly in plastic bottles (mostly water or sports drink bottles) and distributed by the capful for $5–$20 per dose. Other packaging includes eyedropper bottles in Chicago and Los Angeles; glass vials in Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC; and mouthwash bottles in Chicago, a new, very common packaging.
GBL and BDL (GHB precursors) are no longer available in many Pulse Check cities. However, as products containing these precursors become more controlled and removed from the shelves of health food stores and gyms, two new and related precursors are emerging: GHV (gamma hydroxyvalerate) and GVL (gamma valerolactone), as reported by the Los Angeles and Miami epidemiologic sources. The Los Angeles epidemiologic source states that these precursors have joined GBL and BDL as new GHB analogue products sold mostly over the Internet, at health food stores, at raves, and in nightclubs and bars. The products are known as “sublimiss,” “midnight blue,” and “tranquil G.” Other than the emergence of GHV and GVL, GHB packaging and prices have remained stable since the last reporting period, as have packaging and prices for other club drugs.
CLUB DRUGS: THE SELLERS
(Exhibit 9)According to most law enforcement and epidemiologic/ethnographic sources, GHB, ketamine, and other club drugs seller and sales characteristics remain similar to those of ecstasy sellers with a few differences, as shown in exhibit 9. No changes in other club drug sales or seller characteristics are reported since the last Pulse Check.
CLUB DRUGS: THE USERS
(Exhibit 10)Regardless of the specific drug, club drug user characteristics are similar, with a few key differences noted in exhibit 10.
Since the last reporting period, club drug users and use patterns have changed in several Pulse Check cities:
Los Angeles, CAE: While GHB users are predominantly young adults, emerging users include both young adults and older adults. Morever, because of Internet access, use is expanding to include not only use by those in the suburbs but also among those who reside in central city and rural areas.
Portland, MEN: GHB use has increased, but the increase is not yet noted among treatment clients.
St. Louis, MOE: Following a recent law enforcement crackdown on precursors and Internet sales, reports of GHB sales have declined. Sellers who had previously not realized the seriousness of their offense are now being more discreet.
Washington, DCE: GHB use is declining because of its unsafe reputation.
Denver, COE: The proportion of treatment clients for DXM, particularly in over-the-counter cough medications, is now higher than that for GHB.
Seattle, WAE: DXM in cough syrup form is sometimes swallowed by ecstasy users, as suggested by its recent detection in three decedents and by anecdotal information that it is a popular club drug.
+ The following symbols appear throughout this chapter to indicate type of respondent: LLaw enforcement respondent, EEpidemiologic/ethnographic respondent, NNon-methadone treatment respondent, and MMethadone treatment respondent.
