Other Dangerous Drugs

National Drug Intelligence Center
New Jersey Drug Threat Assessment Update
August 2002

The distribution and abuse of other dangerous drugs (ODDs) such as MDMA, GHB and its analogs, khat, ketamine, LSD, and PCP pose serious threats, particularly to the state's teenagers and young adults. The diversion and abuse of pharmaceuticals are also concerns in the state.

MDMA

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is the most readily available and frequently abused ODD in New Jersey. Most MDMA available in the state is distributed and abused by teenagers and young adults. However, older adults, particularly in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties, are abusing MDMA at an increasing rate. Law enforcement officials in Camden report that "parachuting" is a new trend in their area. Parachuting reportedly involves taking MDMA to achieve a euphoric effect and then taking Valium or Xanax to mitigate the depressive effect.

MDMA

MDMA, also known as ecstasy, Adam, XTC, E, and X, is a stimulant and low-level hallucinogen. Sometimes called the hug drug, MDMA purportedly helps abusers to be more "in touch" with others and "opens channels of communication." However, abuse of the drug can cause psychological problems similar to those associated with methamphetamine and cocaine abuse including confusion, depression, sleeplessness, anxiety, and paranoia. The physical effects can include muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. MDMA abuse can also cause a marked increase in body temperature leading to muscle breakdown, kidney failure, cardiovascular system failure, stroke, or seizure as reported in some fatal cases. Research suggests that MDMA abuse may result in long-term and sometimes permanent damage to parts of the brain that are critical to thought and memory.

MDMA is sold primarily at raves or techno parties, nightclubs, rock concerts, and on college campuses in New Jersey, but dealers are increasingly selling the drug from residences and on street corners. Various criminal groups and independent dealers have started to distribute MDMA in New Jersey. According to the DEA Newark Division, Colombian and Mexican criminal groups and local independent dealers are beginning to sell MDMA in the Camden area. These distributors typically purchase wholesale quantities of MDMA in Philadelphia and, to a lesser extent, New York City. Many of these distributors try to sell MDMA on the Philadelphia side of the Walt Whitman and Benjamin Franklin Bridges, which connect Camden with Philadelphia, to circumvent more stringent MDMA laws in New Jersey. According to the DEA Newark Division, Dominican independent dealers started to sell MDMA in Hudson and other counties in 2001 because of the large profits generated by MDMA distribution. The DEA Newark Division further indicates that Hispanic and Portuguese dealers from Newark and New York City are distributing MDMA in the cities of Kenilworth and Union. Wholesale quantities (500 MDMA tablets or more) usually sell for $3 to $5 per tablet, according to the DEA Newark Division. Retail quantities of MDMA, sold loose, in plastic bags, or stacked in heat-sealed baggies known as sticks, usually sell for $20 to $30 per tablet. Sticks typically contain three to five MDMA tablets.

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GHB and Analogs

The availability and abuse of GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and its analogs--GBL, BD, GHV, and GVL--also are increasing in New Jersey.

GHB analogs are drugs that possess chemical structures that closely resemble GHB, a central nervous system depressant. GHB and its analogs are also known as liquid ecstasy, soap, scoop, Georgia homeboy, grievous bodily harm, liquid X, and goop. At lower doses they cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and visual disturbances. At higher doses, unconsciousness, seizure, severe respiratory depression, and coma can occur. Because of their sedative properties, GHB and its analogs also have been used to facilitate sexual assaults throughout the nation.

GHB Analogs
Analog	Chemical/Alternative Name
GBL	gamma-butyrolactone
	furanone di-hydro
	dihydrofuranone
BD	1,4 butanediol
	tetramethylene glycol
	sucol-B
	butylene glycol
GVL	gamma-valerolactone
GVL	4-pentanolide
GHV	gamma-hydroxyvalerate
GHV	methyl-GHB

GHB generally is produced outside New Jersey and transported into the state by local independent dealers. GHB typically is distributed to high school and college students at raves and dance parties. In Atlantic City an 8-ounce bottle sells for $100 to $300, according to the DEA Newark Division.

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Khat

The stimulant khat is readily available in New Jersey, particularly in Newark. Khat use can produce manic behavior, paranoid delusions and hallucinations, as well as damage to the nervous and respiratory systems. Law enforcement officers often seize khat at Newark International Airport. Khat use appears to be limited to some members of an ethnic-cultural enclave consisting of immigrant communities from Arabian, East African, and Middle Eastern countries.

Ketamine

Ketamine availability and abuse vary throughout New Jersey. The drug is readily available in Bergen, Hudson, Ocean, and Passaic Counties. Ketamine, also known as K, special K, vitamin K, and cat valium, is an injectable anesthetic that, when taken in large doses, causes effects similar to those experienced with PCP abuse. Liquid ketamine can be injected or boiled into powdered ketamine that can be put into capsules. According to the DEA Newark Division, ketamine usually sells for $20 per bag and $100 to $125 per 10-milliliter vial. Much of the ketamine sold in New Jersey is stolen from veterinary offices in the state or is shipped from Mexico through California to metropolitan areas in New Jersey and other states. According to the DEA Newark Division, agents intercepted several shipments of ketamine that were sent via package delivery services from San Diego to New Jersey during the second quarter of FY2002. The ketamine was bottled in 10-milliliter vials.

LSD

The hallucinogen LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), also known as acid, boomer, and yellow sunshine, is sporadically available in New Jersey. According to the DEA Newark Division, LSD typically sells for $0.50 to $15 per dose known as a hit, $1.50 to $3.50 per dose for a 100-dose sheet, $600 per liquid vial, and $10 to $15 per gelatin capsule in New Jersey. In February 2001 law enforcement officials in Somerset County seized over 100 LSD-laced sugar cubes. Law enforcement officials in Hunterdon County reported that MDMA tablets were saturated with LSD and sold during the second quarter of FY2002.

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PCP

The hallucinogen PCP (phencyclidine), also known as angel dust, ozone, wack, and rocket fuel, is increasingly available in New Jersey, particularly in Sussex County. Powdered PCP generally sells for $15 to $25 per bag, $20 to $30 per gram, and $5 per capsule in New Jersey, according to the DEA Newark Division. Liquid PCP usually sells for $200 to $600 per ounce. Cigarettes and marijuana joints frequently are dipped in PCP and sold for $20 to $30 each. Ounce and half-ounce bottles of PCP are also available in the state.

Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Diverted pharmaceuticals are distributed and abused in New Jersey at an increasing rate. Narcotics investigators in Camden County report that OxyContin, Percocet, and Xanax are increasing in popularity. According to DEA, there were three OxyContin overdose deaths in Camden in the first quarter of FY2002. Most pharmaceutical abusers are in their late 30s to early 40s or are high school and college age. Narcotics task force officers in several counties report that the level of prescription fraud, particularly in suburban areas, has increased in their areas. Pharmacy burglaries also occur frequently in New Jersey. According to the DEA Newark Division, in the second quarter of FY2002, diverted OxyContin sold for $35 per 80-milligram tablet and $25 per 20-milligram tablet. Diverted Percodan and Percocet sold for $3 to $6 per tablet, and diverted Xanax sold for $1 to $2 per tablet.

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