Other Dangerous Drugs

Some other dangerous drugs (ODDs) pose an increasing threat to Nebraska. ODDs include club drugs such as MDMA and GHB (and its analogs); the hallucinogens LSD, psilocybin, and jimsonweed; and diverted pharmaceuticals such as codeine, diazepam (Valium), hydrocodone (Lortab and Vicodin), hydromorphone (Diluadid), methadone, morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, and Percodan), and propoxyphene (Darvocet). Caucasian local independent dealers are the primary distributors of club drugs, which are increasingly available in cities with colleges and universities, and typically are distributed at raves, nightclubs, and bars. Caucasian local independent dealers are the primary distributors of hallucinogens and diverted pharmaceuticals.

Club Drugs

MDMA. Also known as Adam, ecstasy, XTC, E, and X, MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is a stimulant and low-level hallucinogen. MDMA is generally taken orally in tablet or capsule form. MDMA abuse is a concern among law enforcement and public health agencies in the state because the drug can cause psychological problems similar to those associated with methamphetamine and cocaine abuse including confusion, depression, sleeplessness, anxiety, and paranoia. 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, seizure, or heart attack as reported in some fatal cases at raves. Researchers suggest that MDMA abuse may result in long-term and sometimes permanent damage to parts of the brain that are critical to thought and memory.

The increasing availability and abuse of MDMA, particularly among teenagers and young adults, pose a growing threat to Nebraska. Law enforcement respondents to the NDTS 2002 in Kearney reported high levels of availability and abuse of MDMA, while officials in Chadron and Omaha reported moderate levels of availability and abuse. The Lincoln and Omaha Police Departments report that MDMA is popular with college students. Typical MDMA users are Caucasian individuals in their late teens or early twenties.

Most MDMA available in Nebraska is produced outside the United States, typically in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is transported by couriers aboard commercial aircraft through distribution centers such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., and via package delivery services. Additionally, law enforcement agencies in Nebraska report that local independent dealers transport MDMA using private vehicles and passenger trains. Lincoln law enforcement authorities report that MDMA sold in their jurisdiction is transported from Kansas City and Omaha. For example, in December 2001 Omaha Police Department authorities seized 5,000 MDMA tablets from a 23-year-old male in a private vehicle traveling along I-80. In October 2001 the Nebraska State Patrol seized over 1,700 MDMA tablets, which were vacuum-packaged in plastic bags, from a sleeper compartment on a passenger train in Omaha.

Caucasian local independent dealers dominate the distribution of MDMA at the wholesale and retail levels in Nebraska. However, in 2001 the WING Task Force purchased MDMA from male Hispanic distributors. Caucasian independent distributors sell MDMA at rave parties, nightclubs, and college campuses in the state. Raves are increasingly popular in Nebraska, particularly in Bellevue, Omaha, and the panhandle area. During November and December 2001 the Nebraska State Patrol seized a total of 2,000 MDMA tablets. MDMA tablets generally sell for $25 to $30 each in Nebraska.

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GHB and Analogs. Also known as liquid ecstasy, grievous bodily harm, and Georgia home boy, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and its analogs--GBL, BD, GHV, and GVL--pose a low threat to Nebraska. (See text box.) GHB, an illicit drug known for its euphoric, sedative, and anabolic effects, is colorless and odorless, and its effects include drowsiness, sedation, loss of consciousness, and anterograde amnesia.

GHB analogs are drugs that possess chemical structures that closely resemble GHB. Both GBL and BD convert into GHB in the body. The analog GBL is widely available as a powder and liquid at gyms, fitness centers, and some health food stores. The analog BD is a central nervous system depressant that can be produced in clear liquid, white powder, and pill and capsule forms. GHB and its analogs often are administered to intended victims of sexual assault. These drugs are difficult to detect in drug abusers or victims of sexual assaults because the chemicals are quickly metabolized in the body.

The availability and abuse of GHB and its analogs in Nebraska pose a minimal threat. In 2001 Sarpy County law enforcement authorities seized GHB during an investigation of bodybuilders who were distributing steroids and marijuana. They also investigated one sexual assault allegation in which the victim may have been drugged with GHB. Omaha law enforcement agencies believe that some of the GHB available in the area is synthesized locally and the remainder is transported from Arizona and California. Late in 1999 task force officers in Blair discovered a GHB laboratory for which the suspect had ordered precursor chemicals over the Internet. Young Caucasian local independent dealers are the primary distributors. GHB and its analogs are available in Nebraska primarily at social venues such as bars, nightclubs, raves, and on high school and college campuses. GHB analogs also are available at some disreputable health food stores, gyms, and via the Internet.

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Hallucinogens

LSD. The distribution and abuse of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is an emerging threat to Nebraska. Also known as acid, boomers, and yellow sunshine, LSD is a hallucinogen that induces abnormalities in sensory perceptions. The effects of LSD are unpredictable and depend on the amount taken, the environment in which it is used, and the user's personality, mood, and expectations. Abusers may feel the effects for up to 12 hours. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, numbness, weakness, insomnia, dry mouth, and tremors. Two long-term disorders associated with LSD are persistent psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (flashbacks). LSD typically is ingested orally.

Little is known about the wholesale distribution of LSD in Nebraska. However, in 2002 an LSD distributor in Lincoln exchanged 10,000 "hits" of LSD for a pound quantity of methamphetamine from a distributor in McCook. Retail distributors typically are Caucasian local independent dealers who sell LSD at colleges and concerts. Occasionally, law enforcement authorities encounter Hispanic LSD distributors. High school and college-age individuals are the primary abusers in the state. LSD is available in large cities and college towns in Nebraska. In response to the NDTS 2002, authorities in Fremont as well as in Dodge and Douglas Counties reported that LSD availability was at high levels in their jurisdictions. LSD is available in powder and liquid forms, in tablets or capsules, on pieces of blotter paper that absorb the drug, and on small candies. Blotter paper laced with LSD is sold in the panhandle area. Some abusers hide liquid LSD in bottles designed to hold eyedrops. The DEA Omaha District Office reports that LSD sells for $2 to $4 per dose.

Psilocybin. The distribution and abuse of psilocybin pose a low threat to Nebraska. Psilocybin is the primary psychoactive ingredient in psilocybin mushrooms. Known as teonanacatl, or divine flesh, by the Aztecs, this mushroom is consumed dried or as a white powder. Taken in nontoxic doses, psilocybin produces changes in perception, thought, and mood. Effects last for approximately 6 hours.

Typical abusers are Caucasian high school and college age individuals. In Nebraska psilocybin mushrooms are sold around colleges or universities and at concerts. Distributors, typically from southwestern states, transport mushrooms to Nebraska using package delivery services and private vehicles. In November 2001 the Nebraska State Patrol seized 136 jars of psilocybin mushrooms concealed in boxes from a woman traveling in a rental truck on I-80.

Jimsonweed. The abuse of jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) appears to be an emerging problem in the state. Jimsonweed grows wild throughout Nebraska. When jimsonweed seeds, which contain alkaloids, are ingested, they affect the digestive process, elevate body temperature, increase pulse rate, cause dry mouth, and produce a hallucinogenic effect.

The number of jimsonweed poisonings has increased in Nebraska. According to The Poison Center at Children's Hospital, there were 10 jimsonweed poisonings in 2000 compared with 4 in 1999. These accounted for almost 3 percent of all jimsonweed poisonings reported nationally in 2000. Law enforcement authorities in Scottsbluff as well as Stanton and Washington Counties reported jimsonweed seed poisonings in 2000. Madison County officials reported a jimsonweed poisoning in January 2001. In this incident after ingesting 25 jimsonweed seeds, an 18-year-old honor student crashed her car and walked away from the accident. She suffered from hyperthermia, one of the effects of jimsonweed. She later became unconscious and died of exposure.

Police and prosecutors can do little to stop the proliferation of jimsonweed abuse because it is not a crime to possess and consume the seeds of the plant. In January 2001 Madison County authorities did, however, charge a man with felony child abuse for allegedly selling jimsonweed seeds to a 15-year-old boy.

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Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Diverted pharmaceuticals pose a low but increasing threat to Nebraska. Among the pharmaceuticals most commonly abused are hydrocodone products (Lortab and Vicodin). Other pharmaceuticals frequently abused in Nebraska include codeine, diazepam (Valium), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone, morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, and Percodan), and propoxyphene (Darvocet).

The primary sources of diverted pharmaceuticals are pharmacies and medical practitioners. Unscrupulous medical professionals either steal the drugs or commit prescription fraud by selling prescriptions. In a process known as doctor shopping, abusers visit several doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions. Individuals also alter prescriptions or call pharmacies with false prescription refills. Law enforcement officials in Omaha indicate that it is not uncommon for drug distributors to trade drugs. In 2000 members of the Nebraska State Patrol and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated a case in which an Omaha man mailed pounds of marijuana to a suspect in Jupiter, Florida, and received hydrocodone in exchange for the marijuana.

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