Ecstasy (MDMA)
WHAT IS IT?
MDMA, known as Ecstasy, is a chemical that is usually taken orally as a capsule or tablet. It is a man-made drug that is chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens. It distorts the preception of time and the sense of touch. Taking Ecstacy causes chemical changes in the brain that affect your mood, appetite and sleep.
Ecstasy causes the excessive release of the important neurotransmitter, serotonin, which controls mood, sleep, pain, appetite, and other behaviors. By releasing large amounts of serotonin, Ecstasy causes the brain to become significantly depleted of this important neurotransmitter, which contributes to the negative behavioral problems(depression, sleep problems, etc) that users often experience for several days after taking Ecstasy.
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES
MDMA(Ecstasy) can cause a marked increase in body temperature (hyperthermia). Hyperthermina can lead to muscle breakdown, which can in turn result in kidney failure. In addition, dehydration, hypertension, and heart failure may occur in suscpetible individuals. Repeated use over a short interval of time can lead to high levels of the drug in the body--increasing the risk of harm.
MDMA(Ecstasy) can have many of the same physical effects as other stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines.
There are no specific treatments for MDMA abuse and addiction.
Ecstasy can cause you to become dehydrated or to drink to much water without realizing it. This can also be deadly because it upsets the salt balance in your body.
STREET LINGO
-MDMA -Ecstasy -XTC -E -X -Beans -Adams -Hug Drug -Disco Biscuit -Go
-Adam -Hug -Love Drug
RISKS
-Confusion
-Depression
-Sleep problems
-Severe anxiey
-Muscle tension
-Involuntary teeth clenching
-Chills or sweating
-Dependence & withdrawl effects (fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feeling, & trouble concentrating)
-Some problems can occur while or soon after taking the drug, OTHERS CAN COME DAYS OR WEEKS AFTER taking Ecstasy
STATISTICS
The availability of MDMA has decreased significantly nationwide since peaking in 2001, most likely the result of increased interdiction efforts and the effective dismantling of large MDMA trafficking organizations.
More adolescents perceive harm in using MDMA than ever before, likely because of drug abuse preventioin educational programs and antidrug campaigns that have focused on reducing MDMA abuse since the height of the drug's popularity in 2001.
Although most MDMA is avaliable in the US is produced in Europe, the number of MDMA laboratories seized in the US increased slightly in 2004.
Shifts in transportation routes have resulted in a decrease in the amount of MDMA smuggled into the US directly from the Netherlands and Belgium.
Asian criminal groups are increasingly involved in MDMA trafficking in all regions of the US and may surpass Israeli and Russion criminal groups as the dominant transporters and wholesale distributors of the drug in the near term.
MDMA use among adults appears to be trending downwar. MTF data indicate that MDMA use among college students(ages 19 to 22) and young adults (ages 19 to 28) peaked in 2001 and has since declined, although not significantly. NSDUH data show that between 2002 and 2003, past year MDMA use decreased from 5.8 to 3.7% for young adults aged 18 to 25 and from 0.5 to 0.3% for adults aged 26 or older.
RAVE PARTIES
(where most MDMA[ecstasy]is distributed & abused)
Rave parties AKA raves are high energy, all-night dance parties and clubs, which feature dance music with a past, pounding beat, and choreographed laser programs, have become increasingly popular over the last decade, particularly among teenagers and young adults. Beginning as an underground movement in Europe, raves have evolved into a highly organized, commercialized, worldwide party culture. Rave parties and clubs are now found throughout the US and in countries around the world. Raves are held either in permanent danc clubs or temorary venues set up for a single weekend event in abandoned warehouses, open fields, or empty buildings.
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