In recent years, certain drugs have emerged and become popular among teens and young adults at dance clubs and "raves." These drugs, collectively termed "club drugs," include MDMA/Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), and ketamine (ketamine hydrochloride).

Producing both stimulant and psychedelic effects, MDMA is often used at parties because it enables party-goers to dance and remain active for long periods of time. This substance is usually ingested in tablet form, but can also be crushed and snorted, injected, or used in suppository form.¹

According to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 10.2 million Americans aged 12 or older tried MDMA at least once in their lifetimes, representing 4.3% of the U.S. population in that age group. The number of past year MDMA users in 2002 was 3.2 million (1.3% of the population aged 12 and older) and the number of past month MDMA users was 676,000 (0.3%). Among 12–17 year olds surveyed in 2002, 3.3% reported lifetime MDMA use, 2.2% reported past year MDMA use, and 0.5% reported past month MDMA use. Among 18–25 year olds surveyed in 2002, 15.1% reported lifetime MDMA use, 5.8% reported past year MDMA use, and 1.1% reported past month MDMA use.⁸

According to the 2003 Monitoring the Future Study, 3.2% of eighth graders, 5.4% of tenth graders, and 8.3% of twelfth graders reported using MDMA at least once during their lifetimes. One percent of eighth graders and tenth graders reported using Rohypnol at least once during their lifetimes (twelfth grade data are not available). Lifetime use of GHB and ketamine was not captured in the survey.⁹