The trafficking and abuse of MDMA is rising every day and this is creating many serious social concerns in America and around the world. This drug was once confined to major urban areas but it is not being found in much small communities across the country. Teens and other young adults use MDMA every day and commonly refer to it as ecstasy, X, or E. Distribution groups are targeting young people and supplying them with larger and larger quantities of the drug. As more and more young teens use MDMA and combine it with other drugs such as alcohol, the harmful affects of this drug are on the rise.
This drug is marketed as a feel good drug and it is know to increase awareness, positive feelings, empathy, and extreme relaxation. Physical awareness is much heightened and it is nicknamed the hug drug or love drug. MDMA is also used by young teens to suppress hunger and sleep, and even thirst. This enables many users to party for two or three days without a break.
This drug is taken orally in a tablet or capsule and is stamped with icons or logos that are intended to help them appeal to the young audience. The effects of MDMA last about 4-6 hours. The tablets of MDMA that are sold on the street are seldom pure and many fakes are often sold. This drug is dangerous alone and much more dangerous when combined with other drugs.
SHORT TERM EFFECTS: increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature; jaw and teeth clenching/muscle tension, hypertension, dehydration, chills and/or sweating, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, dizziness, confusion, insomnia, and paranoia.
MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS:
LARGE DOSE: muscle breakdown, hypothermia, kidney failure and cardiovascular system failure.
LONG TERM USE: depression, sleep disorders, paranoia, drug craving, persistent elevation of anxiety, liver damage, brain damage, paralysis, and possible others pending research.
Domestically, the DEA seized 196 MDMA tablets in 1993 and more than 3 million tablets in 2000. The amount of seizures made by Customs has increased from 400,000 in FY 1997 to 7.2 million in FY 2001.
Source: DEA, U.S. Customs Service
In 2001, MDMA use among young people jumped an additional 20 percent. Since 1999, teen MDMA use increased by 71 percent. More than 12 percent of teens report trying MDMA at least once in their lives---an increase from 10% in 2000 (a year-to-year increase of 20 percent), 7 percent in 1999 (a 71 percent increase to date) and 5 percent in 1995---an increase of 140 percent from 1995 to 2001.
Source: 2001 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study
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