title: Club drugs: review of the 'rave' with a note of concern for the Indian scenario.
abstract: 'Club drugs' which include Ecstasy, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), ketamine, and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) have become popular with participants in 'raves', because they are perceived to enhance energy, endurance, sociability and sexual arousal. These drugs vary in their pharmacologic properties, physiological and psychological effects, and potential consequences. The use of club drugs by young people has increased in the last decade, and continue to get modified and evolve, making them very difficult to monitor. Further, these drugs are not picked up by routine drugs screening procedures, thereby making these popular with the criminals. India, which is in a phase of social transition, also faces this rising menace. Despite the nature and extent of this problem, this area has been under-researched. Data from India are sparse barring a few newspaper and police reports. Keeping abreast of current trends in club drug use prepares the clinician to recognize the clinical effects of club drug use, to manage club drug related emergencies, and to generate social awareness.
authors: Drug De-addiction & Treatment Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Kaustav
authors: K
authors: Chakraborty
authors: Rajarshi
authors: R
authors: Neogi
authors: Debasish
authors: D
authors: Basu
mesh_terms: D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015198:Designer Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D007194:India; D007649:Ketamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D012919:Social Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D015198:Designer Drugs; D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D007649:Ketamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine