TEENS 'ZOMBIE' PILL FAD: ABUSING AMBIEN (Kennedy drug used as party-sex enhancer)

NY POST ^ | 5/14/06 | SUSANNAH CAHALAN and SUSAN EDELMAN

[Liz]

A growing number of city high-school and college kids are popping Ambien - the drug Rep. Patrick Kennedy blamed, in part, on his car crash - not to sleep, but to party.

The insomnia medication, known as "zombie pills," "tic-tacs" and "A-minus," has become popular at house parties and nightclubs....illegally sold by Internet drugstores, peddled outside Big Apple nightclubs and even bartered on Craigslist.

One desperate user offered his X-rated DVDs. "You give me Ambien, I'll give you porn," he wrote. At the street price of $5 a pill, young people are gobbling Ambien for relaxation, euphoria and hallucinations.

Partyers also take Ambien with booze, pot and other pills - a dangerous combination, doctors say - to get a stronger high.

The "zombie" fad worries doctors. "I have patients who abuse Ambien to get a buzz," said Dr. Richard Frances, a NYU psychiatry professor......

The sleeping pill is the target of a growing class-action lawsuit in Manhattan federal court that claims the pills caused bizarre "zombie-like" behavior - including reckless driving and binge eating.

Kennedy blamed Ambien as a factor in his May 5 crash in D.C.

.......... said lawyer Susan Chana Lask, who represents 500 in the suit. "Many burn their hands on the stove, eat weird things - one lady made a sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels - and have wild sex with their spouses or other people."

[BenLurkin]

" one lady made a sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels"

Hmmm . . .

[Hildy]

Oh please, every generation has their "it" pill. Unfortunately, mine was Qualudes. Be thankful their only taking Ambien.

[JRios1968]

" one lady made a sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels"

[Liz]

The story is significant not b/c its about pills per se, but b/c it concerns a pill Cong Kennedy took, then used as an excuse to explain his bad behavior.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Unfortunately, mine was Qualudes."

Rorer 300's. The pill that zombied an entire generation.

I also have the t-shirt.

[Hildy]

Everyone knows that's a bogus story...he was drinking, period.

[Hildy]

You got that right.

[Wiggins]

[RightWingAtheist]

[SIDENET]

"You give me Ambien, I'll give you porn,"

LOL.

[Despot of the Delta]

"Unfortunately, mine was Quaaludes."

Rorer 300's. The pill that zombied an entire generation.

That would be Rorer and Lemmon 714's... LOL

Not that I would know anything about that. (Whistling Innocently)

[hsalaw]

and have wild sex with their spouses or other people

From a SLEEPING PILL? What am I missing here? I thought Ambien was a sleeping pill; why are people eating ice cream sandwichs and having wild sex after taking a sleeping pill? Not that I think for a moment Kennedy was anything but drunk.

[Glenn]

Unfortunately, mine was Qualudes.

Ludes made for calm companions. There are worse things, eh?

[D-Chivas]

There's no proof Patrick Kennedy had Ambien in his system. However they are witnesses that Kennedy was knocking back a whole bunch of alcohol earlier in the evening.

[Liz]

Thanks---love it. Wonder if it's on DVD? Did Sheldon Leonard play the zombie? LOL.

[The Worthless Miracle]

" one lady made a sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels"

This drug sounds as harmful as marijuana!

[English Nationalist]

said lawyer Susan Chana Lask, who represents 500 in the suit. "Many burn their hands on the stove, eat weird things - one lady made a sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels - and have wild sex with their spouses or other people."

"My clients abused prescription drugs and had adverse side effects. I demand restitution of $figurewithlotsofzeros and a wahmbulance."

[Liz]

.....and nobody saw the glassine envelopes under the driver's seat, and the little gold straw with a powder residue on the passenger seat...?

[Liz]

In the language of the law----$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[gidget7]

Because, as it states in the article:

When mixed with alcohol or pot, it produces a hallucinogenic effect, and a party drug. Translation, makes people do things they wouldn't ordinarily do, or maybe I should say "helps them to do things they wouldn't do without the drugs" Also it is readily available, and taken by a lot of KIDS already on anti depressants.

It is entirely possible Kennedy did take Ambian, AND was drinking, as has been reported by those who served him the drinks. It wouldn't exactly be unheard of for a Kennedy to "party" with or without the use of drugs.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Parest 400s were the best! Not that I know anything about them either!

[Gondring]

...and have wild sex with their spouses...

The FDA MUST take action on this stuff...it's unnatural! ;-)

My friend tells me that one patient of hers has to be sure to be in bed and not take it in the bathroom since it knocks her out so fast she hasn't made it to bed sometimes. I found it hard to believe, but I've heard it from many people that it acts fast! The thing that gets me is the warning that if you take it without having a full night's sleep afterwards, it can cause amnesia.

[freekitty]

Geez, are there any parents anymore controling their kids?

[Bringbackthedraft]

"sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels" hmmm

Thanks very much, but, I'll stick to the ole reliable "peanut butter, honey, banana, butter,and bacon sandwich".

[Gondring]

Another thread is pointing out how trazodone (an older drug that costs far less since it's now generic) is equally effective, without such side-effects. Trazodone doesn't work for everyone, but it sounds like a better place to start. The problem is, patients see the marketing for Ambien and ask for the latest thing rather than try what might work just as well. On the other hand, there's that pesky priapism side-effect that can occur with trazodone.

IOW, body chemistry and pharmacology are far too complex for lawyers. :-)

[Liz]

....I'll stick to the ole reliable "peanut butter, honey, banana, butter,and bacon sandwich".....

If that sandwich is fried, it must be Elvis posting. LOL.

[rawcatslyentist]

>"This drug sounds as harmful as marijuana!">"

Yeah, but ambien is easily taxable!!!!

The only $$$ in MJ is in its illicit trade!

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I had big trouble with Ambien, and will never take it again! Almost burnt my house down while sleepwalking/cooking.

[308MBR]

Body chemistry, Pharmacology, logic, calculus, algebra, geometry, thermodynamics and compassion are issues that are too complicated for lawyers.

If lawyers had a handle on any of these things, they could have grown up to be something useful, like doctors, engineers, clergymen, mechanics, bus drivers and garbage men.

[ChildOfThe60s]

http://extremewisdom.com/images/Best.wmv

The classic Bob Hope zombie/democrat clip

[Feiny]

They are just Partying like a Kennedy.

Big Teddy'splane was hit by lightening....a message from God?

[Despot of the Delta]

Parest 400s were the best! Not that I know anything about them either!

The old Mean Green Jellybean's were pretty damn good.

Just Sayin... (Continuing to whistle innocently)

[radiohead]

Unfortunately, mine was Qualudes. Be thankful their only taking Ambien.

Hmmmm....Qualudes....

Damn I miss the 70s.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I had a script for them from a pill-pusher doc. I didn't like them cuz they made me numb, and being a musician, I couldn't play at all if I took one. I gave 'em all away. Mostly to young, beautiful women! So, there was some benefit to havin' that script!

[muggs]

"My clients abused prescription drugs and had adverse side effects.

How is taking a prescription drug (Ambein) exactly as prescribed considered abusing it? You do not have to abuse it to have a strange reaction to it.

[Hildy]

;)

[Hildy]

My parents were wonderful...they really were. But I still did really stupid, dangerous things...ALOT.

[null and void]

or maybe I should say "helps them to do things they wouldn't do without the drugs"

Or perhaps "gives them an excuse for having done the things they wanted to do anyway"...

[Liz]

Thanks-----great movie.

[gidget7]

even better put!

[R. Scott]

A sleeping pill as a sex enhancer? What am I missing?

[Liz]

For those sickos with perv partners into necrophilia....LOL.

[Dark Wing]

ping

[R. Scott]

Not exactly my thing – I prefer a lot of motion – a LOT of motion!

[Lurker]

My mom tried really hard with me, too. But in my youth for some reason we thought it would be a good idea to take some 'ludes, blow a doobie, grab a couple quarts of beer, and go for a drive.

When I think about it I can't believe I'm still alive.

L

[Mercat]

" one lady made a sandwich with ice cream, syrup and pretzels"

actually, that doesn't sound too bad. What kind of bread?

[Mercat]

actually, I have used trazadone, tiny sub theraputic dose. And it just quiets down the voices in my mind. opps. shouldn't have said that.

[null and void]

Well DUH! Sprouted whole wheat. Otherwise it would be unhealthy...

[null and void]

We won't tell them you told us...