The Current Online

by TIM BLOM

In the last few years, raves have become an undeniable tangent of society marked by flashing lights and fast beats. Over time, they have become targeted by law enforcement officials for the illegal substances abused. For these ‘candy trippers,’ music and dancing are not enough. This new class of users takes drugs to enhance their rave experience with mind-bending results that enable them to party all night long- and remember a third of it. Since many raves are rampant with drugs, it is important to know what they look like and what effects they might have. Ecstasy, by far the most popular rave drug, goes by many different names. People commonly call it X or by the type of “roll” it is. Rolling refers to the time frame in which the user feels its effects, as well as the act of taking it. Depending on the potency, X will last anywhere from four to nine hours or more. The consensus is that people experience a slightly euphoric feeling for the entirety of the high that promotes interpersonal friction on the dance floor and intimate relations elsewhere. Besides the expected STD risk associated with polygamous behavior, ecstasy also poses serious mental and health risks when usage becomes habitual. Studies have shown impairments in memory and learning are usual results from ingestion after as little as one dose. Unsanitary production methods lead to undesired impurities that can cause a “bad batch” effect- literally poisoning most everyone who buys from the person who produced it. The biggest risk lies in the fact that no warning is given when X is sold. It is not uncommon for a mass of partygoers at a rave to experience the same effects of a bad batch, which leads to an emergency room rush five hours later. In fact, rising proportionately with usage, the number of emergency room visits caused by X in the United States has gone from 637 in 1997 to 5,542 in 2001. Ecstasy has also been known to cause severe depression and anxiety to long-time users. <BR>A similar drug in nature, GHB is stealthy drug that can be added to a drink without the subject knowing about it. Commonly referred to as the “date rape drug,” gamma hydroxzybutyric acid was previously marketed as a bodybuilding supplement. Shortly after ingestion, GHB depresses the central nervous system, causing blackouts or loss of consciousness. In smaller doses, it give similar feelings to those of ecstasy with similar side effects but with a higher likelihood of memory loss making it the ideal substance for targeting unsuspecting victims. Research of GHB stresses the importance of not trusting others around drinks. “Do not leave your drinks unattended” and “shun shared containers” were the common themes. Why such precautions? It is as clear as water and smells the same. An eyedropper full is all it takes to sedate a victim. In one case an 18-year-old died from accidentally ingesting half a bottle of GHB, which he took to be water.

<DIV id=cp_story_text>Ketamine, also known as Super Acid, Special K or just K, comes many different forms. Often, it is marketed in a clear white liquid or white powder that can be added to drinks, injected, or added to smokable materials. K was originally used as a sedative in hospitals but was quickly replaced when the side effects were presented. Now considered a narcotic, it has many adverse effects. K is taken because it causes colorful hallucinations, making it difficult to differentiate between the dream and reality. It is also very fast acting. Within 15 minutes of ingestion, victims of a drink spike are likely to develop amnesia due to the hallucinogenic effects. As with GHB, Ketamine is tasteless, odorless and colorless, so the same precautions must be taken. In some cases, K may develop a certain level of toxicity in the cardiovascular system and prolonged exposure almost guarantees an overdose.<BR>Raves can be a fun time for all, but precautions must be taken to ensure safe times. It is important to know what drugs may be at raves and the risks associated with them. With the current trend in drug enforcement, hosts and attendees might need to take precautions to protect legal interests. Billboards along I-70 have advertised the DEA’s newly developed crackdown on narcotics, focusing primarily on the midwest. All of the drugs previously mentioned are Class 1 drugs, with the exception of Ketamine. Class 1 drugs are a mandatory felony by the DEA even if only a very small amount is recovered. Not only that, but there are currently two bills working their way to senate. One equates raves with crack houses and the other enables prosecution of individuals caught under the influence of these illegal party drugs. If a rave is well publicized, it is likely that it will be broken up. It is important that when the police arrive not to be associated with these drugs.Drugs have become an inseparable part of society. Being aware of these contemporary drugs may determine the difference between life and death.
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by TIM BLOM

As I step out of the car to begin my maiden voyage into the unrelenting void of liquor and women, I secure my wallet and begin to walk around the cold, harsh midtown scene. I remembered looking upon the clubs from the outside in admiration of the non-minors just years ago, but not anymore. Now it is my turn to find out what these bars have to offer.
From the parking spot it was only a jot to the first attraction. The outside was decorated with smiley faces and captioned with the phrase “Have a Nice Day Cafe.” I expected it to be some sort of hippy bar. When I entered, however, I discovered that my assumption was not far from the truth. The cover charge was six bucks, the most forked out in the entire night. I could only hope that it was spent to pay all the good-looking girls to attend- I didn’t see any other reason for them to be there. The music was funky and beat-filled but nobody was dancing. Nothing was very interesting to me about the bar besides the gravity-defiant hairstyles the bartenders fashioned. When YMCA started playing, it was time to leave.
Across the street from there was Standford and Sons Comedy Club. Immediately I see an empty restaurant area and a nearly deserted bar, both completely furnished with hardwood. The bartender directed me to the upstairs. There it was busy and everyone was laughing. The seats surrounded the comedian like a cage around a humorous giraffe, telling jokes for his freedom. The bartenders dispensed drinks in the back and waiters circled the smoke-filled room with baskets of french fries and sandwiches. The price of admission is fairly steep, ranging from $10 to $30. With a dinner reservation you can get front row tickets and, if you’re lucky, the comedian might ridicule you. What a night out.
Just west of Standford’s is America’s Pub. Parked right outside was the Mix 93.3 van, but I didn’t let that stop me. Between the cover charge, carding, frisking, and the four cops standing around, I quickly saw what kind of club it was. My theory was reaffirmed when I saw how the women were dressed and how they danced. It was a strip bar. I was about to inquire about lap dances when I realized that none of the girls was actually naked. The place was riddled with TVs depicting penguins dancing to the music. Unfortunately, there was an open microphone where all the drunken frat boys sang and convulsed to some generic pop. I chose to leave before I had an aneurysm.

After shaking off the trauma, it was time to wander somewhere more pleasant. Kelly’s is on the same street but nowhere close to the same genre. A more downbeat bar with a better class of women, it has a jukebox with lots of song variety, creating a good mix of music and a volume level that doesn’t make it impossible to talk. The most notable aspect of it was its incredible length, and at the far end, a pizza kiosk that sells very decent product. Still, after playing a few of the old school arcade games, it was time to move on.
Across the street is McCoy’s Public House. Immediately after entering I was put at ease. McCoy’s is a restaurant that magically transforms into a bar, come 11:30. The food is well reputed and the rolls are divine. The circular bar is surrounded by tables and in the distance, 21 vats of microbrew shone gloriously under the lights. The background music was tasteful and passive, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. In the corner was a guy with an ’80s style boom box doing the robot while people watched in amazement, including myself. Next to him was a room dedicated to smoking cigars and discussing cigar related topics. The drinks were affordable and the staff was fun to hang around, making this my favorite bar of the evening and the place I eventually returned to.
The next closest bar was The Hurricane, catty corner to McCoy’s. It is dedicated to live music, with a cover charge relative to the popularity of the band playing. If you are looking for a quiet night out, this is not the bar to go to. It has a hectic atmosphere with crazy, tattooed people leading to the overall impression of a bike-less biker bar. The drinks are good, though, with an unbeatable Hurricane. It would be great for a good band since it is a small venue with nobody under 21 allowed- but for a casual night out, probably not the best of choices.
Down the street is the Beaumont Club, a country-western bar. Likewise with the Hurricane, it is often a venue for big-name bands of all musical types. It was “extremely barren due to the cold weather,” the manager claimed. I looked at the five women line dancing on a giant hardwood floor and the 20 people there otherwise and realized that it was very non-busy. I was shocked they actually paid the $5 cover charge. I almost fell asleep so I decided to exit.

After shaking off the sleepy feeling, I wandered to Harpo’s, which came highly recommended by the proprietor of the cigar shop, Fidel’s, across the street. They play a nice combination of classic and 80′s rock, from what I heard. There is an upstairs balcony for billiards lovers. It seems to have a lot of potential to be a fun and well-balanced bar with a friendly staff and very big beers. Unfortunately it was far too cold for the beautiful outdoor patio to be open.
Next up was the elegant atmosphere of Harry’s. The mirrored bar gives a feeling of spaciousness, which is great because that place is too friggin’ small. The downbeat tunes and the low lighting give the feeling that I’m visiting a museum, just with more liquor. If you’re in the mood to play spin the bottle, there is a back room the size of a closet for seven minutes in heaven. It is complete with candlelight and a velvet couch. All that’s missing is the braces and it’s middle school all over again. The women tended to be very attractive, but only hung around the guys who look like they’re well off. It was frustrating indeed.
The Westport area is a hoppin’ place with many beautiful people and lots of alcohol. After a long night of drinking and walking from bar to bar, McCoy’s receives the best rating of all of them, with Standford’s and the Hurricane close to follow. For those of you who are under 21, many other places exist that cater to minors. So go enjoy yourself, but designate a driver if you decide to get sloshed.

Dedicated individuals with a more than full time schedule

by TIM BLOM

The SoaD truth revealed

by TIM BLOM