Up the sidewalk, the beat of the music pulses and grows louder. It mimics the pulse in his chest. Climbing the rickety stairs two at a time, nodding at the bouncer and slipping quickly through the door, Alex enters the club- a writhing mix of sweaty bodies, pounding beats, strobe lights, glow sticks and dimly lit corners. All of it fueled by prescription pills- uppers, downers- cocaine, gel-tabs, ecstasy, heroin, and even a little weed.

For Alex, a recent UF graduate, his typical Saturday nights were always the same. There was probably a hook-up. A girl, maybe two. Dancing, drinking…and drugs.

Club drug use in the United States is an epidemic, and the trend is increasing. It exists in the clubs of Gainesville. Some of the drug use is apparent, but much of it continues undetected and uninterrupted.

Local law enforcement agencies attempt to keep drugs off the street. From October 2001 to 2002 the Alachua County Sheriff's Office arrested 992 people on drug-related charges. The Gainesville Police Department made 566 drug-related arrests from January to June of 2002.

Drug use does not always go unpunished, but there are limited resources within the departments, according to Lt. Ed VanWinkle, GPD special investigations.

"Our patrol officers are usually targeting drug dealers," VanWinkle says. Law enforcement must prioritize and this means going for the "big guys."

Emily, a UF junior and Spanish major, describes her experiences with the "club drug" ecstasy as "intense and out-of control." Emily has had only two experiences with rolling, and both of these were at a local club.

"The music was intense and I did it with friends," Emily says. "You feel really comfortable. You feel really good."

The second time, however, was scary.

Unprepared for the drug's effect, she says "It hit me as I was leaving. I had to sit down, it hit me so hard in the chest. I got nervous. I was breathing hard. My friends were telling me to stay calm."

Emily's bad experience isn't unique. Club drugs are appealing because the atmosphere and sub-culture of the trend is exciting, intense and even mainstream. The reality of drug use is not as pleasant.

For users, the appeal of recreational drugs quickly disappears when there are serious repercussions. While many may escape consequence, others are not as lucky.

"I called an ambulance on myself once," Alex says. "I was out of my mind, tripping- on mushrooms or LSD or something. I even called my parents."

Another night, after drinking too much GHB, Alex passed out behind the wheel of his car. A passenger shook him awake. Alex remembers many drug-related episodes, but he claims there are two years in which he doesn't even remember going to college. These are memories that cannot be replaced, and this story is not uncommon. >>>