"While practicing as a pediatrician for 40+ years in Dallas, I have sadly observed that most patient deaths in my practice have been alcohol or drug related. I am deeply committed to preserving and improving the quality of life for our children and adolescents. To that result, I consider it my responsibility to assist you in becoming more aware of street drugs currently thriving in our community. I wish to highlight three that are relatively new but very popular on the streets of Dallas.

Gamma-hydroxy Butyric Acid, also known as GHB, Soap and Liquid Ecstasy, is one of the latest drugs experiencing an upsurge in the Dallas area. GHB acts as a depressant and anesthetic. Taken orally in white powder or liquid form it produces a ‘high’ lasting about 30 minutes. GHB has an extremely short life, leaving the body very quickly through the urine. Doses are sold in a vial for approximately $10 per dose.

Effects of the drug include sleepiness, euphoria, full respiratory arrest, profuse sweating, disorientation, paranoia, dryness of mouth, severe vomiting, anxiety, headache, passing out, comatose, and complete amnesia. Complete amnesia under the influence puts the GHB user in a vulnerable position of victimization, including rape. Some people have had the drug added to their drinks without their knowledge, as it is tasteless.

During the month of November 1995, paramedics were required for eight persons after ingesting the drug. Several of these individuals had mixed GHB with alcohol, which resulted in passing out and slipping into comas and convulsions. If not quickly revived, users of this drug can experience brain damage and even death.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies Gamma-hydroxy Butyric Acid as an unapproved drug, making distribution illegal under the federal law. 

Rohypnol (pronounced Ro-hip-i-nol) is another rapidly spreading drug. It has been nicknamed the date rape pill. Street names for the drug in Texas are Rope, Rib, Rophies, R-2, Mexican Valium, Roach, Party Poppers, the Forget Pill, Ruffles, and Roban.

Used primarily by college students and ‘yuppies’ in conjunction with beer, Rohypnol is a sedative that looks like an aspirin but is approximately 10 times more potent than Valium. It is commonly sold as 10 pills in a half pack, going for $2.50 to $5 per pill.

Rohypnol reduces inhibitions and can trigger amnesia. Other effects include loss of short term memory, coma, confusion, slurred speech, physical addiction, loss of consciousness, euphoria, drowsiness, agitation, and psychological dependence.

Although it is not available for prescription in the U.S., federal law until April 1996 allowed persons to bring it into the U.S. if it was prescribed in Mexico and declared at the border. It was becoming such a popular drug that over 4,000 Rohypnol pills were being legally declared daily at one international bridge in Laredo alone.

The U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it is now illegal to bring Rohypnol from Mexico into the United States. Texas and Louisiana classify Flunitrazepam as a Schedule IV controlled substance due to its high incidence of abuse.

Ketamine is known on the street as Special K or Vitamin K. It was first introduced in 1970 as an anesthetic for the cat. It is also used in human medicine for pediatric burn cases and dentistry. There has been a resurgence over the past two to three years by the ‘hip’ crowd.

Ketamine has hallucinogenic effects and causes impaired perception. It is similar molecularly to Phencyclidine (PCP) and thus creates similar effects including numbness, loss of coordination, sense of invulnerability, muscle rigidity, aggressive/violent behavior, slurred or blocked speech, exaggerated sense of strength, and a blank stare. Flashbacks may occur one year later. As little as 1 gram can cause death.

Ketamine is ingested orally in tablet form, snorted as a powder, and injected intramuscularly in liquid form. The ‘high’ can last for 4-6 hours and 24-48 hours are generally required before the taker will feel completely ‘normal’ again. Chronic users may take from several months to two years to feel normal again. In liquid form, Ketamine sells on the illegal market for $25 a bottle (100 mg.).

The Drug Enforcement Administration continues to monitor abuse of Ketamine."

–Milam B. Pharo, MD
Former Consulting Physician
to Solutions Outpatient Services