| In February 2004 a 16-year-old girl in Connecticut went | | | | damage even one ecstasy pill can cause:* Severe |
| to a house party with some friends. She took a | | | | dehydration* Seizures* Strokes* Dramatic increases in |
| powdered form of the popular drug known as ecstasy | | | | body temperature (death by overheating is not |
| with her friends, went into seizures and later died. In | | | | unusual)* Muscle breakdown* Kidney failure* Liver and |
| April 2004, a 14-year-old girl in California took ecstasy | | | | heart failure* Damage to hormornal systems* Potential |
| at a sleepover with two friends and died the next day | | | | brain damage with repeated useWould You Know if |
| from an overdose.These stories are not rare-in fact, | | | | Your Child Were Using Ecstasy?Here are 17 warning |
| 2.6 million teens report having experimented with | | | | signs that your child could be using ecstasy:* |
| ecstasy in 2003 and hundreds of teens have died | | | | Dehydration* Clenching of the jaw and/or grinding |
| taking such drugs, according to the Substance Abuse | | | | teeth* A sore jaw* Unusual displays of affection* |
| and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). | | | | Pronounced mood swings* Loss of inhibitions* |
| Ecstasy is used by kids in their early to late teens and | | | | Transfixion on sights and sounds* Chills or sweating* |
| early 20s because it promotes a euphoric feeling by | | | | Muscle tension* Nausea* Confusion* Difficulty |
| releasing a chemical in the brain called serotonin (the | | | | concentrating;* Tremors* Sleep problems* Severe |
| same chemical that, when lacking, is linked to | | | | anxiety* Panic attacks* DepressionIf you suspect that |
| depression).This drug, chemical name 3-4 | | | | your child may be using this drug, see the box at right |
| methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA, is | | | | for 17 warning signs, it's important to talk to him |
| different from other illegal drugs in that many kids | | | | immediately. If your child is young and tried a drug one |
| mistakenly believe it is safe. Common among white, | | | | time, you may be able to deal with the drug use on |
| middle- and upper-class kids, ecstasy-also called the | | | | your own, however, if your child is older or you |
| hug drug, beans, Adam, XTC and the love drug-is | | | | suspect he is a regular user, there are professional |
| thought of as a safe way to get an intensely pleasant, | | | | social workers, nurses, drug counselors, psychologists |
| high feeling.Ecstasy pills can be brightly colored and | | | | and psychiatrists who can help.Ask your child's school, |
| often contain cartoon characters and fun logos that | | | | your family physician or a community health center for |
| appeal to kids.It combines both stimulant and | | | | a referral of where to get help. SAMHSA, of the U.S. |
| hallucinogenic properties that allow kids to stay awake | | | | Department of Health and Human Services, also has |
| and full of energy, which is why it's a popular drug at | | | | an online substance abuse treatment facility locator at |
| raves (all-night dance parties) and dance clubs. The | | | | as well as many other online resources to help keep |
| aspirin-sized pills are geared toward kids and even | | | | your kids drug-free: course, speaking openly with your |
| contain cartoon logos and shapes like crowns and | | | | children about the dangers of drug use well before |
| hearts.It does appear that kids and parents are waking | | | | they reach their teenage years is one of the best |
| up to the real dangers of this drug, as the 2003 | | | | preventive measures you can take.Ecstasy's Future |
| National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that | | | | Looks DimThere is hope on the horizon for limiting the |
| among youths aged 12 to 17, 41 percent fewer said | | | | harm this "trendy" drug inflicts. In March 2004, the |
| they had used ecstasy in the past month. However, | | | | alleged leader of an international Ecstasy ring that |
| many kids are still experimenting:* 3.3 percent of kids | | | | supplied 15 percent of the U.S. ecstasy market was |
| 12-17 have tried it* 15 percent of those aged 18-25 | | | | arrested along with more than 130 defendants in 16 |
| have tried it* One in nine teenagers has tried itDespite | | | | cities across the United States. The investigation, |
| these high numbers, close to half of parents (41 | | | | dubbed Operation Candy Box, was geared toward |
| percent) have never talked to their kids about ecstasy, | | | | removing this dangerous drug from the U.S. |
| according to SAMHSA, but 90 percent believe it's an | | | | market.Karen P. Tandy, U.S. Drug Enforcement |
| extremely risky drug to use.Ecstasy's Damaging | | | | Administration (DEA) administrator said, "For the first |
| EffectsBeware if Your Child Suddenly Starts Carrying | | | | time in all law enforcement, DEA has measured the |
| These Items Associated With EcstasyThe following | | | | impact of this operation, revealing that Operation |
| paraphernalia are often carried by ecstasy users, | | | | Candy Box decimated the U.S. MDMA |
| either to stimulate senses, hide pills or relieve jaw | | | | market-dramatically reducing MDMA availability, |
| clenching:* Pacifiers* Lollipops* Candy necklaces* | | | | slashing its purity, and raising its price."From the FREE |
| Glow sticks and/or glowing jewelry* A child-like | | | | e-newsletter, the Web's #1 most read newsletter with |
| backpack* Mentholated rub* Surgical-type masksMany | | | | original articles in all 6 areas of life leading to complete |
| kids are drawn to the short-term "good feelings" that | | | | wellness. |
| ecstasy creates, but here is a sample of the lasting | | | | |