Other Dangerous Drugs

Other dangerous drugs (ODDs), including MDMA, GHB and its analogs, ketamine, and LSD, pose lesser drug threats to West Virginia. Availability and abuse of these drugs are limited throughout most of the state. Caucasian young adults are the principal retail-level distributors of MDMA, GHB, and ketamine in the state; however, African American males are the principal retail-level distributors of MDMA in Wheeling and Weirton. Local independent dealers and OMGs are the principal retail-level distributors of LSD throughout the state.

MDMA

Overall, the availability and abuse of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) pose a low drug threat to West Virginia. Of the 28 law enforcement respondents to the NDTS 2002 in West Virginia who rated the level of MDMA availability in their jurisdictions, 18 indicated that availability was low. Respondents from Charleston, Glenville, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Point Pleasant, and Wayne rated availability as medium. Only respondents from Barboursville, Bridgeport, and Sutton rated the level of MDMA availability as high. Treatment data as well as arrest and seizure statistics regarding MDMA are not available in West Virginia.

MDMA, also known as Adam, ecstasy, XTC, E, and X, is a synthetic stimulant and low-level hallucinogen. MDMA was patented in Germany in 1914 where it was given to psychiatric patients to assist in psychotherapy. The American Psychological Association and the Food and Drug Administration never approved this practice. Sometimes called the hug drug, abusers claim that the drug helps them 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, insomnia, 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.

Most of the MDMA consumed in West Virginia is produced outside the United States, typically in laboratories in the Netherlands and Belgium. MDMA primarily is transported into West Virginia from New York City and Pittsburgh; however, MDMA also is transported into the state from Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio, among other areas. Caucasian local independent dealers are the primary transporters of MDMA into West Virginia, typically using private vehicles or package delivery services.

Law enforcement officials indicate that limited quantities of MDMA are produced in West Virginia. West Virginia State Police officials in Point Pleasant report that MDMA laboratories were operating in its jurisdiction in 2002. Further, federal, state, and local law enforcement officials in many college towns in areas served by the DEA Washington Division, including areas in West Virginia, speculate that some graduate-level science students may be producing small quantities of MDMA.

Young adults, primarily Caucasians, are the principal abusers and retail-level distributors of MDMA throughout most of West Virginia; however, African American males are the principal retail distributors of MDMA in Wheeling and Weirton. Wholesale distribution of MDMA in West Virginia is limited. MDMA tablets available in West Virginia typically are stamped with a symbol such as an anchor, banana split, lantern, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Peace sign, Playboy, smiley face, star, Superman, Teletubbies, Thumbs Up, and VW. MDMA typically is distributed at nightclubs and bars, private parties, and on college campuses. In 2002 MDMA tablets in West Virginia sold for $13.50 to $30 per tablet at the retail level.

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GHB and Analogs

The threat posed by GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and its analogs--GBL, BD, GHV, and GVL--is low in West Virginia. GHB, also known as liquid MDMA, scoop, Georgia home boy, grievous bodily harm, and liquid X, is a depressant that occurs naturally in the body and is necessary for full functioning of the brain and central nervous system. GHB analogs are drugs that possess chemical structures that closely resemble GHB. Abuse of GHB and its analogs may cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, impaired breathing, and death. Because of their sedative properties, GHB and its analogs have been used to facilitate sexual assaults throughout the nation.

GHB and its analogs are available in West Virginia primarily at bars, nightclubs, private parties, and on college campuses. GHB analogs are also available at some disreputable health food stores, gyms, and via the Internet. Young adults, primarily Caucasians, are the principal distributors and abusers of GHB and its analogs in West Virginia. According to the DEA Charleston Resident Office, GHB sold for $5 to $20 per dosage unit in 2002. A capful, typically the size of the cap from a small water bottle, is the most common dosage unit at the retail level.

Ketamine

The threat associated with the abuse and distribution of ketamine is low in West Virginia. Ketamine, also known as K, special K, vitamin K, and cat valium, is an injectable anesthetic that is approved for both human and animal use. Ketamine is abused in liquid, powder, and tablet forms. The liquid form often is injected intramuscularly. Liquid ketamine sometimes is converted to powdered ketamine and placed in capsules. In its powder form, ketamine resembles cocaine or methamphetamine and often is snorted or smoked with marijuana or tobacco products.

The effects of ketamine vary by the dose ingested. Low-dose intoxication from ketamine may result in impaired attention, learning ability, and memory; dissociation, which includes out-of-body and near-death experiences; and hallucinations. High doses of ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems. Ketamine abusers in the United States and the United Kingdom have reported incidents similar to bad LSD trips. Some abusers try to fly or jump from moving vehicles.

Young adults, primarily Caucasians, are the principal distributors and abusers of ketamine in West Virginia. Distributors and abusers typically obtain the drug by breaking into veterinary clinics. Ketamine is distributed at bars, nightclubs, private parties, and on college campuses. Ketamine in West Virginia sold for $200 per gram in 2002, according to DEA Charleston Resident Office.

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LSD

The distribution and abuse of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) pose a low drug threat to West Virginia. LSD, also known as acid, boomers, and yellow sunshine, is a hallucinogen that induces abnormalities in sensory perceptions. The effects of LSD are unpredictable, depending upon the amount taken, the environment in which it is abused, and the abuser's personality, mood, and expectations. The physical effects include dilated pupils; increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; numbness; weakness; insomnia; dry mouth; and tremors. Abusers may feel the effects for up to 12 hours. Two long-term disorders associated with LSD are persistent psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (flashbacks).

LSD typically is taken orally and is available in powder and liquid forms, in tablets or capsules, and on small candies and pieces of blotter paper that absorb the drug. Most abusers are high school and college age individuals. Some abusers hide liquid LSD in breath mint vials and eyedrop bottles, or conceal it in over-the-counter pain relief capsules. Law enforcement officials from the Harrison-Lewis Drug and Violent Crime Task Force report that some LSD abusers in their jurisdiction use hypodermic needles to remove all or a portion of this medication and replace it with powdered LSD.

Most of the LSD available in West Virginia is supplied from California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and transported to West Virginia via package delivery services and private vehicles. Caucasian local independent dealers and OMGs are the principal distributors of LSD in the state. LSD sold for $5 to $7 per dosage unit in 2002, according to the DEA Charleston Resident Office. LSD is distributed at gyms, dance clubs, nightclubs, private parties, on college campuses, and over the Internet.

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