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Is there an ecstasy drug epidemic in Colorado?
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T O P I C
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Discussion Started: 03-25-2001, 3:10 PM
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Recently, several deaths and serious illnesses have drawn attention to club drugs, and ecstasy in particular.
Denver authorities have announced plans to enforce more strict alcohol rules for clubs and venues that have hosted under-21 events in the past. The measures are designed to allow police to focus more energy on cracking down on club drugs, officials said.
Is there an ecstasy drug epidemic in Colorado? Share your thoughts about club drugs, media coverage, and police reaction.
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View Messages: [newest first] | [oldest first]
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Koi72!8m6
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11-16-2006, 4:01 PM
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Not that I have in any way encountered. Not much life left in those abusers, based on an article I read in Rolling Stone several years ago about a RURAL epidemic of ecstasy in Washington and Oregon. Hard working farmers turned to manufacturing the drug to support their habit and left off real farming. Not very funny at all. And they got addicted from the proverbial SINGLE USE of the drug.
As for Colorado's current situation, I have to watch news reports. Sometimes it seems, all good citizens have to do is repair the damage law breakers make, the wrecked lives the abusers create in themselves, etc., etc. I worry when the straw is going to break the camels back of people's willingness and ABILITY to handle all this, not simply financially, but with time, energy, and spirit. REALLY NOT FUNNY!
For your thoughts... -- Koi
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seventeen
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01-24-2003, 10:58 AM
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Can users make this drug at home? Are there other people exposed to the chemicals when the drug is made? Can it be made in a apt. building where children are exposed to it? Not only do I think this is a drug issue but an EPA issue as well. Our children should never be exposed to toxic gases. It is not smoking a joint outside.
chad
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cynnickal
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06-24-2001, 9:12 PM
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While the ecstasy use in Colorado is most certainly on the rise, I feel that raves are in no way related to the increase in users. As a witness to the evolution of the rave scene in Colorado over the past few years, I've seen a direct correlation between the amount of people going just to do drugs rather than enjoy the music and the amount the media portrays raves as a place to go and do drugs. The more the media perpetuates the myth that raves are nothing but drug havens, the more people are going for the wrong reasons. Those of us that have been around since before raves became the "in" thing to do don't want people like that around. We don't accept the amount of people now coming to do rampant amount of drugs, and we're just as concerned about it as the authorities and parents. But unfortunately none are working with us to help remedy the situation, but rather attack us and inadvertently help bring more of the wrong crowd into our community. You never hear about the rave that didn't have any arrests, or any other incidents. You don't hear the many stories of how raves helped turn people around that were lead down the wrong path. Instead, all you hear about is the drug usage and promiscuous sex (which, by the way, out of the years I've been in the rave scene, I haven't seen any of this promiscuous sex that allegedly happens).
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StarrESkye
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06-24-2001, 7:20 PM
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I do not believe so. As a teen, I knew others who used this drug, and in recent months, I have seen less and less usage among the group I hung out with. I believe it is a phase that will be delt with in time. As the users of this drug mature, they will be making bigger decisions (marriage, family, ect) and the use of X will decrease. Maturity is the answer to solving this problem... not concentrating on those who "may" be using, such as ravers. The pulbic needs to realize, NOT ALL RAVERS USE X. Focus more on those who ARE NOT attending Raves, as Ravers are searched, so their usage is not as easy as someone going to a bar or party. I am also disappointed to this question being posted on the same page as the WY Rave. One word... assumption.
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liteharted
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04-16-2001, 11:48 PM
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There's a quick fix(ecstasy) epidemic in Colorado and 50 other states, is what there is. Don't know if any of our social tailspins can be turned around. I'm usually a positive-kind-of-gal but it'll take a tremondous amount of everyones' energies, to try to turn our putrid state of existence around now. We've pretty much gone way-too-far in all areas. Think the alcohol ban in nightclubs that permit minors is a start! I'm all for it! One baby step at a time...is our only hope.
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peterdunn
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04-16-2001, 2:27 PM
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There is no ecstasy drug epidemic in Colorado. The prevalent use of other intoxicants, such as marijuana, cocaine and alcohol, remains much higher but is at this time, less visible.
For three decades, we have watched as the federal, state and local governments have tried to legislate drug use out of existence. The only true result of this has been a dramatic increase in our prison populations:
- Colorado higher education each year gets budget increases parallel to inflation, while the Department of Corrections gets double-digit increases each year.
- Approximately two-thirds of the persons newly incarcerated in federal prisons over the past ten years are there for drug-related offenses
This is approximately as successful as efforts to curtail prostitution, alcohol (see Prohibition) and gambling. Some of us are old enough to remember when the state lottery was used to put the "numbers" game out of business. My father, who was born in 1912, told me how during Prohibition, he could buy all the liquor he wanted as a teenager from the neighborhood bootlegger. But after Prohibition ended, only adults 21 and up were allowed to buy alcoholic beverages.
My point is that, given what we have seen over the past century, it should be obvious that prohibition of any "vice" does not work. It is only through careful and reasonable licensing that these behaviors can even be controlled.
Unfortunately, the demagogues inherent to the political system will always pander to the idealist puritan in us and not have the courage to say that these things will remain among us, that they should be recognized as facts of life and that we need to educate and reasonably license them.
There is no more an ecstasy drug problem in Colorado today than there was a rum epidemic in the US in 1918.
But that's just my two cents. PKD
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Buddhaone
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04-15-2001, 11:48 PM
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As a co-worker and part owner in the Denver night life, I have seen adults in the nite scene perform very responsibley and not so responsible, Kids have access to drugs in clubs, schools, recreation centers, supermarkets... the list is endless. On any given night kids will patronize a club, the drug abuse is done long before they arrive on the night club scene,
We have consistantly pleaded to create a safe after school or weekend venue for our children, and yet due to the City and county of Denver mishandeling of this drug epidemic now we are destroying the only thing they have to release, now they will return to the basements or garages or play grounds, in which they always felt safe to experiment with drugs, with out the adults knowing. Now it will be looked at as a domestic problem because it has occured in a private venue, and yet the problem still persist,
The City needs to assist the entertainment industry on how to police thier venues, and how to lower the drug abuse in these enviroments, We need to send volunteer drug task forces to go to the schools and address the problem, Kids don't go out looking for drugs they have already resourced thier means for getting high long before they go out into the night to find a place to try the drug of thier choice. My question to the City is will they shut down the high schools if they find "X" for sale on school grounds? Will they close down the movie theatre's if drugs are found for purchase? -
Sincerely, Buddha
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rapidAvs
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04-02-2001, 11:32 PM
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I feel that you guys should stop pointing fingers at raves and clubs for people getting hurt while using drugs like ecstasy. Most of my friends who attend raves with me don't use ecstasy and many of them frown upon people who do use it regularly. Also, the production companies are doing everything they can to keep the kids safe. Everyone is pattd down before comiing inside, I've even had several instances where I've had to take my shoes of and open my wallet. They don't let any kind of container in, even down to lip balm. They have security in every part of the venue. The truth is that rave production companies and clubs have done all that they can do to stop drugs.
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BStJohn
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04-02-2001, 11:12 PM
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No, there isn't an ecstasy drug epidemic in Colorado. Drugs, especially ecstasy have been here for years, and will continue to be prevalant because people want to do drugs. It really is that simple. Cracking down on raves and under-21 events isn't going to solve the problem. It's going to change the mode and behavior of drug use.
There never was a problem with "club drugs" until the media latched onto the death of Britney Chambers and blew the problem completely out of proportion. It is sad she died, yes. However, closing down venues and tightening liquor laws is going to cause more problems then it's going to solve. She didn't even go to raves or clubs. It was an unfortunate isolated event. Were you aware there were 10 ecstasy related trips to the hospital at the last Metallica concert? Nobody said a word about that event; is it because drug use at "concerts" is socially acceptable?
What law enforcement doesn't realize is that people like doing drugs, and are going to continue to do so, no matter what anyone says. Drug prevention isn't working! We need to embrace an attitude of drug education. When you crack down on raves, they're going to be driven back underground. Who's going to be to blame when someone does die because they can't get to a hospital because the party is out in the middle of nowhere? The very people who drove it back underground.
It seems not-so-bright people are in charge of trying to control a non-existant epidemic. Exactly how is tightening alcohol laws going to even make a dent in the drug problem?
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narl
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04-02-2001, 8:20 PM
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Colorado does not have a "ecstasy drug epidemic" at ALL. The drug ecstasy has been around in the "club and rave" scence for years and years. Not till now has the media been involved. The only reason we are talking about this is becasue a underage child took the drug and died.
And to blame it all on "raves" tottaly wrong. Ecstasy is WIDLY used. In concerts, at home, parties.. you name it, it is there. Just like pot. It has been around for quite some time and sooner or later the media will drop ecstacy becasue unfortelnly ecstasy will always be around just like pot, liqour and other intoxicating drugs.
Just becasuse you find ecstasy more at "raves" does not mean that it is the problem of this drug. Just take a look around and you will find it everywhere.
Mark
www.narl.org
no anti-rave laws
Please visit www.narl.org
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