Other Dangerous Drugs

Other dangerous drugs (ODDs) pose an increasing threat to Rhode Island. This category of drugs includes the club drugs MDMA, GHB and its analogs, LSD, and ketamine as well as diverted pharmaceuticals such as Dilaudid, OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Ritalin, and Vicodin. Among the club drugs, availability and abuse are increasing for MDMA and GHB and its analogs. Caucasian criminal groups and local independent dealers are the primary wholesale and retail distributors of ODDs in Rhode Island. The club drugs MDMA, GHB and its analogs, ketamine, and LSD often are sold at nightclubs, raves or techno parties, or openly in hand-to-hand exchanges on the streets as well as at bars, private parties, gyms, or student hangouts near high school and college campuses. Often the individuals who distribute these drugs--typically teenagers and young adults--also abuse these substances.

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Club Drugs

MDMA. The availability and abuse of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), particularly among teenagers and young adults, poses an increasing threat to Rhode Island. MDMA, also known as Adam, ecstasy, XTC, E, and X, is a stimulant and low-level hallucinogen. MDMA was patented in 1914 in Germany where it was sometimes given to psychiatric patients to assist in psychotherapy. This practice was never approved by the American Psychological Association or the Food and Drug Administration.

Abusers claim that MDMA, sometimes called the hug drug, helps them 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 also can 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. 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.

MDMA is readily available in Rhode Island. Law enforcement officials in the state often seize wholesale quantities of the drug. During one investigation in 2001, federal, state, and local law enforcement officials seized more than 3,400 MDMA tablets in the Providence area. In Providence MDMA tablets typically are stamped with symbols such as elephants, Eurodollars, and stars, according to Providence law enforcement officials.

Most of the MDMA available in Rhode Island is produced in the Netherlands and Belgium. Russian and Israeli drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and criminal groups typically control the transportation of MDMA into the United States from the Netherlands and Belgium. Russian and Israeli DTOs frequently arrange the transportation of MDMA to wholesale distributors--typically Caucasian and Dominican criminal groups and local independent dealers--in New York City by couriers aboard commercial aircraft and via package delivery services. Caucasian local independent dealers from Rhode Island often travel to New York City to purchase MDMA and then transport it via private vehicle into Rhode Island. MDMA also is transported into Rhode Island via package delivery services. Further, law enforcement officials report that MDMA is sometimes transshipped through Canada.

There have been isolated instances of MDMA production in Rhode Island. In July 2001 DEA agents seized an operational MDMA laboratory in Central Falls and arrested a college chemistry student who had obtained the chemicals required to produce MDMA from an Internet auction site.

Caucasian criminal groups and local independent dealers, all typically teenagers and young adults, are the primary wholesale and retail distributors of MDMA in Rhode Island. They generally distribute the drug at nightclubs, raves, and on college campuses to other teenagers and young adults. The Providence Police Department Narcotics Unit reports that street gangs, including Bloods, Crips, and Latin Kings, distribute MDMA in Rhode Island, although to a lesser extent. In 2001 MDMA tablets in Rhode Island sold for approximately $12 per tablet at the wholesale level and between $20 and $35 per tablet at the retail level, according to DEA.

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GHB and Analogs. The depressant GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and its analogs--GBL, BD, GVL, and GHV--increasingly are available and abused in Rhode Island. GHB analogs (see text box) are drugs that possess chemical structures that closely resemble GHB. At lower doses GHB and its analogs cause dizziness, nausea, and visual disturbances. Unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression, and coma can occur at higher doses. GHB and its analogs are known as liquid MDMA, scoop, grievous bodily harm, and Georgia home boy.

Nationally, GHB and its analogs increasingly are cited in poisonings, overdoses, sexual assaults, and fatalities. Illegally produced GHB is usually a clear to lightly tan-colored liquid that is slightly thicker than water, with a salty or chemical taste. To cover the salty taste, GHB is often mixed with artificial flavoring, sports drinks, or alcoholic beverages of unsuspecting victims of sexual assault. After ingesting the drug, victims often are rendered unconscious or otherwise incapacitated and, in some cases, may not recall the assault. It often is difficult to detect GHB in overdose or sexual assault victims because GHB is eliminated from the body quickly.

GHB can be produced illicitly as a clear liquid, white powder, pill, or capsule from readily obtainable ingredients, one of which is GBL, a solvent commonly used as a paint thinner. Food coloring is sometimes added to give the drug a distinguishable color such as pink, blue, or yellow. Although GBL may be used to produce GHB, GBL also may be ingested, as it converts to GHB in the body. GBL has a salty taste and often is mixed with flavored drinks.

Caucasian local independent dealers, primarily teenagers and young adults, are the principal distributors and abusers of GHB and its analogs. These drugs are available in Rhode Island primarily at social venues such as raves or techno parties, bars, private parties, gyms, and student hangouts near high school and college campuses. GHB and its analogs also are available over the Internet and usually are advertised as bodybuilding or health supplements. GHB sold for $30 to $50 per bottle at the wholesale level in Providence in 2003, according to the DEA Providence Resident Office.

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Ketamine. Also known as K, special K, vitamin K, and cat valium, ketamine presents a low drug threat to Rhode Island. Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic that is approved for both human and animal use. Ketamine is sold commercially and is produced 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. In the rave culture snorting ketamine is known as bumping.

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 have tried to fly or jump from moving vehicles.

Caucasian local independent dealers are the principal wholesale- and retail-level distributors of ketamine in the state. Distributors and abusers sometimes break into veterinary clinics to steal the drug. Young adults, primarily Caucasians, are the principal abusers of ketamine in Rhode Island. Retail distributors sell ketamine at raves, techno parties, and other social venues or to known associates. In Rhode Island ketamine sold for $75 to $100 per vial and $20 per 0.2 grams in 2003, according to the DEA Providence Resident Office.

LSD. Also known as acid, boomer, and yellow sunshine, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) poses a low drug threat to Rhode Island. LSD is a hallucinogen that induces abnormalities in sensory perception. The effects of LSD are unpredictable depending on the amount taken, the environment in which it is used, and the abuser's personality, mood, and expectations. 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. 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. The drug is available in powder and liquid forms, in tablets or capsules, as microdots, and on pieces of blotter paper that absorb the drug. Some abusers hide liquid LSD in breath mint vials or bottles designed to hold eyedrops.

Most LSD available in the state is produced in Northern California and transported into Rhode Island using package delivery services. Caucasian local independent dealers, generally college and high school students, are the principal wholesale and retail distributors of LSD in the state. They also are primary abusers of the drug. According to the DEA Providence Resident Office, LSD sold for $130 per one hundred doses and $5 per dosage unit in 2003. LSD can be purchased at gyms, dance clubs, nightclubs, raves or techno parties, private parties, high school and college campuses, and over the Internet.

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Diverted Pharmaceuticals

The diversion and abuse of pharmaceutical drugs pose an increasing threat to Rhode Island. Pharmaceuticals that commonly are diverted include hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, and Percodan), and methylphenidate (Ritalin). Hydrocodone is an opioid analgesic used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Hydromorphone is an opioid used to relieve pain by acting on specific areas of the spinal cord and brain that process pain signals from nerves throughout the body. Oxycodone is a synthetic opioid analgesic used for relieving moderate to severe chronic pain. It is similar to hydrocodone but is more potent and has a greater abuse potential. Methylphenidate is a stimulant primarily used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Pharmaceuticals are diverted in a variety of ways in Rhode Island. Methods include pharmacy diversion, "doctor shopping," and improper prescribing practices by physicians. Pharmacy diversion occurs when pharmacy employees steal products directly from the shelves or through prescription forgeries. Another widely used diversion technique is doctor shopping, a practice in which individuals who may or may not have a legitimate ailment visit numerous physicians to obtain drugs in excess of what legitimately should be prescribed. Diversion also occurs when unscrupulous physicians prescribe medications for individuals without a legitimate need for the drug at the patient's request either for a fee or for sexual favors. Legitimate prescription holders also divert portions of their prescriptions for abuse or financial gain.

The diversion and abuse of oxycodone, primarily OxyContin, pose the most significant pharmaceutical drug threat to Rhode Island. Law enforcement officials and treatment providers report that OxyContin, once predominantly abused by lower-income, middle-aged individuals, is increasingly abused by middle-class individuals and that the average age of abusers is decreasing. OxyContin abusers crush the tablets to destroy the controlled-release coating, then snort the powder or mix it with a liquid for injection. Snorting or injecting the drug produces physiological effects similar to those associated with heroin.

Caucasian criminal groups and local independent dealers are the principal wholesale- and retail-level distributors of diverted pharmaceuticals in Rhode Island. Retail distributors often sell diverted pharmaceuticals to acquaintances and established customers. Street prices vary depending on geographic location; however, in general OxyContin sells for $0.50 to $1 per milligram.

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