CLERKENWELL, LONDON:

Azeperone's effect in the field

A survey commissioned by one of the country's foremost dance magazines has shown an interesting new drug trend developing in the nation's clubs.

In response to a recent article "Elephant Tranquilliser - The new Ketamine?" Raver magazine polled over three thousand clubbers in an attempt to gauge the drug's new-found popularity.

The magazine established that whilst overall ecstasy and amphetamine use remains constant, nationwide consumption of the once popular animal drug Ketamine has fallen.

Clubbers, seemingly bored by the effects of the horse tranquilliser turned club favourite, have now it seems upped the ante in the search for a new high with a new contender - the Elephant tranquilliser Azaperone.

Azeperones effect in the club

"Azaperone is a type of Butyrophenone, and is ideal for the sedation and relocation of large Game Animals such as adult Rhinos, or Bull Elephants, " said Dr. Martin Freeman, chief Veterinary Surgeon at the London Zoo.

"One of the main reasons for it's use by capture teams is that it has the advantage of decreasing 'pink foam syndrome' caused by opioid anaesthesia, whilst maintaining a light anesthetic plane for anything up to four hours, making it ideal for use in the field."

Like Ketamine, Azaperones use was originally intended for animals, but its powerful psychoactive effects are now being exploited for recreational use by clubbers looking for a new high.

"Azaperone works much like Ketamine," said Dr. James Smythe-Brown, Head of Chemical Toxicology at London's Middelsex University. "It is a powerful disassociative anaesthetic, which has an antagonistic effect on Dopamine D2 receptors in the central nervous system," he said, an effect he went on to add would: "make you rush your fucking tits off basically."

Just as with Ketamine, Azaperone users experience a feeling of well-being, disorientation, and an out of body experience. But experienced clubbers, with high tolerance levels to K, are now seeking the "Azaperone" effect, which occurs at high doses.

Clubber 'Phil' deep in his own A-Hole

(Ketamine, taken in high doses produces an effect called the "K" hole, an out of body experience, a feeling of looking down on oneself, and lack of balance.)

Similarly, Azaperone taken in levels strong enough to put down a male bull elephant, takes the experience one step further - total loss of motor control, lack of orientation and spatial awareness, and an inability to breath - an effect users term the Azaperone hole, or "A-Hole."

"The A-Hole is awesome," said 'Jack' a clubber recently quoted in the Raver magazine interview. "The feeling you get when you're in is amazing…warm… snugly, fuzzy"

"It really makes for a wicked night out," said Steph, another regular 'A' user. "Its like Ketamine times 10. When you can't move, you're completely blind, and you can feel yourself teetering on the edge of death…now that's what I want on the dancefloor."

Some users report a feeling of anxiety and apprehension at the onset of the drug, but experienced users such as Jack claim this feeling quickly dissipates - "Yeah for sure, it takes a while to get used to getting in the A hole, but once you're in it's wild."

He continued - "I love being lost in my own Azaperone world. Deep in my own A Hole."