In The Fall 2000 Issue:
In our last Newsletter (Summer 2000, 8th Edition), we started to discuss Club Drugs and concentrated entirely on the growing problem of MDMA (Ecstasy) across the country. In this issue we will turn our attention to the other forms of abused substances, Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Rohypnol (Roofies), Ketamine and Nitrous Oxide.
Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
GHB has created a number of concerns for law enforcement. This substance can easily be manufactured through a clandestine laboratory operation, or its analog, GBL, can easily be purchased through either the Internet or nutritional supply outlets. Even though you can find GHB in tablet, capsule or white powder, the most popular form by far is in a clear liquid. Street names will include Liquid X, Scoop, Salt Water, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy and Easy Lay.
The most common clandestine manufacturing involves the combining of a paint thinner, Red Devil lye and a neutralizer (vinegar). All of these substances are readily available at most retail outlets. The Internet and nutritional outlets sell products like Blue Nitro, Renewtrient, Enliven, Revitalize Plus, Revivarant, Remforce, Firewater, Serenity, Thunder Nectar and Weight Belt Cleaner.
Most commonly, GHB is linked to date rape situations. Though this is one of the most serious problems related to GHB, it is not the only use for the substance. It attacks the central nervous system causing an intoxicant, sedative and euphoric effect. Therefore, we see exotic dancers at strip clubs and bodybuilders from the gyms taking GHB. The dancers want to reach a euphoric feeling to dance more sensually while the bodybuilders believe GHB enhances their workout.
Due to the intoxicant effects, body builders will finish their workout, change and drive home. Anyone driving a car while under the influence of GHB will have the same physical problems as a person impaired on alcohol. Dancers will commonly take a half cap of GHB in alcohol. The bodybuilders will consume theirs in sport drinks like Gatorade or Powerade.
When used as a date rape substance, GHB can be added to alcoholic drinks (like Long Island Iced Tea, Margarita, other strong mixed drinks or Beer). Once consumed, the effects will start to show after 10 – 20 minutes. Overdose symptoms will appear as drowsiness, nausea, headache, vomiting, loss of reflexes and consciousness as well as impaired breathing or possibly even death. If you suspect a person has overdosed, lay them on their side or face down. GHB suppresses the gag reflex causing the victim to possibly die from drowning in their own vomit or choking while on their backs.
To date rape there has not been a closed field test that will positively identify GHB. An accurate method is to take a non-carbonated liquid suspected of containing GHB and shake the container. Non-carbonated drinks will retain their flat appearance. Liquids containing GHB will fizz like Bromo Seltzer.
Effective March 31, 2000, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid has been made a Schedule I substance.
Rohypnol (Roofies)
Unlike many controlled substances, Rohypnol is a brand name for a sedative manufactured by Hoffman-LaRoche. Hoffman-LaRoche is the same legitimate manufacturer of Valium in 2%, 5% or 10% tablets. Roofies is a much more potent form of this same sedative (approximately 50% strength), but rather than being manufactured in the United States, they are made in Mexico. This trade restriction has been placed on Rohypnol due to the FDA finding no medicinal purpose for the substance in the United States. Other countries utilize it as a treatment for sleeping disorders or cancer.
Rohypnol is found in either one (1) or two (2) milligram tablets. These tablets are white in color, round in shape, and have ROCHE scribed on one side with either a 1 or 2 with a circle around the number. The opposite side of the tablet can be found with either one score line or crossed score lines.
The physical effects of Roofies are sedation, drowsiness, decreased blood pressure, confusion, visual disturbances and urinary retention. This, coupled with inability to remember events while under the influence of Rohypnol, is the reason for terming the substance a date rape drug.
These tablets are smuggled into the United States and either ground up into powder, or the powder is placed in a small screw top vial and dissolved with water. One of these forms is then placed in a victim’s drink to incapacitate them.
Since the Rohypnol substance is a high strength Valium tablet, you can place a small amount of the powder into the Valium test (#925 pouch, #7625 tube). If the substance is found in a liquid form, air dry the suspected liquid on a cotton swab, tissue or piece of toilet paper for 45 seconds. Drop the now dried substance into the bottom of the test and proceed. Roofies will develop a definite lavender color following the breakage of the 2nd ampoule.
Ketamine
K, Special K, Cat Valium or Vitamin K are the popular street names for this new substance. Found as a human (Ketalar) or animal anesthetic (Ketaved, Ketaset and Vetalar), Ketamine is very similar to PCP.
Usually the natural liquid form is dried on either hot plates or in microwaves. Once dried, the white powder can be snorted or smoked with Marijuana or tobacco. It has also been reported that some users inject Ketamine into their muscles. This substance will cause high blood pressure, respiratory problems and impaired motor skills. Similar to PCP, a dream-like state and hallucinations can be psychological effects. But most importantly, it can cause a person to lose consciousness very rapidly.
Ketamine has been attributed to both a pleasant dream-like state and near death experience. The effects can take between 4 – 6 hours to start to wear off, while poor coordination following the use of Ketamine can last up to 24 hours.
To test Ketamine, air dry the liquid form on a cotton swab or tissue for 45 seconds and place into the bottom of the Valium test (#925 pouch, #7625 tube). In the case of powder, simply introduce a small amount into the bottom of the test. Break the ampoules in sequence. Upon breakage of the 2nd ampoule, an immediate dark lavender color will develop.
Nitrous Oxide
One of the newest and most dangerous rages within the Club scene is the sniffing of nitrous oxide. Commonly referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide has always been associated with dentists. Now we see this substance being inhaled through balloons after being filled from either a whippet or whipping cream cannisters.
These whippets are commonly found cannisters in some grocery and gourmet food stores designed to charge reusable whipping cream. Since nitrous oxide can cause frostbite, the nitrous oxide is first discharged into a balloon to warm prior to inhalation. In the case of whipping cream cannisters, they are held upright and the nozzle is slowly depressed. The nitrous oxide contained within the cannister will then enter the balloon and is ready for inhaling.
The effects of nitrous oxide can take place within seconds. These effects can include giddiness, reduced coordination, faintness, reduced sensation of sight, sound and touch. It can also include vomiting, headache and nausea. Normally the effects from inhaling will wear off a number of minutes after taking the substance. However, if used extensively, nitrous oxide can cause damage to the nervous system or bone marrow.
There is no field test known at the present time to address nitrous oxide.
When using multiple ampoule field tests that require Officers to see a layering effect (Cocaine/Crack #904B, Marijuana #908), follow this technique to better view the colors.
1. Upon breakage of the 3rd ampoule, agitate the pouch five to six times.
2. Grasp the pouch by its side and tap it firmly against a hard surface. This will push the liquid and glass material to one side of the pouch.
3. Slowly roll the pouch back in the opposite direction to a 45º angle. The glass and harness will remain on the tapped side with the liquid slowly layering on the opposite side.
4. To better enhance your separation, now slowly roll the pouch another 45º until the liquid is resting between the side of the pouch and the closure clip at the top of the pouch.
This technique will assist you in seeing the separation of both the Pink over Blue layering in Cocaine/Crack as well as the Blue/Violet over Purple in the Duquenois-Levine Reagent for Marijuana.
Deadly Ecstasy Look-A-Like
In our last newsletter we highlighted MDMA (Ecstasy) in all of its forms. Since that time, a new deadly development has come to the Rave Scene, PMA.
Ecstasy tablets come in various designer insignias. One of the most popular designs across the country has always been the triple diamond tablet (looking like the Mitsubishi car insignia). Real Ecstasy tablets of this configuration will be the approximate size of an Aspirin tablet in both diameter and thickness. PMA does not take on these same characteristics.
PMA will have the triple diamond insignia and will be the same general diameter. However, PMA is invariably found as a double stack tablet rather than a single piece. Ravers taking the PMA tablet will not have the heightened sensitivity found with Ecstasy and will continue to pop a second, third and possibly more of the PMA version. This overdose of the PMA tablets has led to a number of deaths across the country.
PMA tablets will also not react in the Marquis (#902 pouch or #7602 tube) or the Sodium Nitroprusside Reagent (#923 pouch or #7623 tube).
Please be aware of the physical differences between true Ecstasy tablets and PMA.
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