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By Tony Bylsma CCDC* The contoversy continues, the Drug flows. Without accurate information about the dangers of this or any drug, potential users can be easily mislead.
Not since
the 1960s has the world witnessed a drug phenomenon like the rapid and
widespread emergence of Ecstasy and the growing group of drugs that are loosely
and very unofficially classified as “club drugs”. Apparently the term club drug refers to the fact
that these are quite prevalent at large parties called “raves” or
“trances”. Included in this group of
drugs are five that we are getting more and more questions about in classrooms
and from teachers. This is the first in
a series of articles that will discuss the main drugs in this group.
ECSTASY
 MDMA Tablets
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, known as Ecstasy, or MDMA, is structurally similar
to a combination of Methamphetamine (speed) and the hallucinogen Mescaline.
MDMA is not a new drug, in fact it was patented in 1913 (patent #274.350)
by the German chemical company Merck supposedly to be sold as a diet pill (the
patent does not mention any intended use). Merck decided against marketing the
drug and had nothing more to do with it. According to urban legend, the US army tested
MDMA in 1953 as a possible truth serum, but there is no known evidence
supporting this.
In the seventies some doctors were researching the use of MDMA to
facilitate counseling, but it was found to have too many damaging side
effects. The FDA banned MDMA in 1985
making it illegal for any use throughout the U.S. and placed it in the same drug
classification as LSD and Heroin: a classification that includes the statements
“no accepted medical use”, “lack of accepted safety for use” and “high potential
for abuse”. Then some fool named it
“Ecstasy” and everybody had to have some.
MDMA is taken orally, usually in the form of a tablet or capsule, the
effects of which can last up to six hours.
Users claim that it gives a heightened sense of compassion, the desire
to be close with others and the ability to dance for hours on end. Because of the speed effect, MDMA can
suppress the urge to eat, drink or sleep, enabling users to endure two to three
day marathon parties. Consequently, MDMA use sometimes results in severe
dehydration or exhaustion. Physical signs include dilated pupils, increased
blood pressure and heart rate. MDMA use
has also resulted in deaths from hyperthermia (a soaring fever), liver and
kidney damage.
MDMA can cause long-term damage, even if that damage isn't immediately
visible. In monkeys, exposure to MDMA
for only four days caused brain damage that was still evident six to seven
years later. The same study provides
further evidence that people who take MDMA may be risking permanent brain
damage. 
Your brain cells, in fact all the cells in your whole nervous system, run
on a system of electricity and chemicals.
Drugs affect the body by manipulation of these; forcing the release of
some chemical or other, inhibiting the transfer of messages along the nerve
channels or fooling the whole operation by imitating a nervous chemical. Communication of information between nerve
cells is accomplished by movement of chemicals across the small gap between
them called the synapse. These chemicals are known as neurotransmitters, and
there are about 60 of them, each apparently with its own specific message. One
Neurotransmitter might communicate the message to eat; another sends a signal
of fatigue or of fear.
Serotonin, the nervous chemical most affected by MDMA, has a lot to do with
mood, feelings of pleasure and the ability to think and remember. MDMA forces unnaturally large amounts of
serotonin to be released into the brain, causing the user to experience
artificial feelings of empathy or well being.
But there isn’t an unlimited supply of serotonin in the nervous system
and it can’t be replenish as rapidly as it is used under the influence of MDMA,
resulting in depression, often severe.
MDMA is also related in structure and effects to methamphetamine, which has
been shown to cause degeneration of nerve cells containing another
neurotransmitter, dopamine. Damage to
these nerve cells is the underlying cause of the motor disturbances seen in
Parkinson's disease. Symptoms of this disease begin with lack of coordination
and tremors, and can eventually result in a form of paralysis.
THE
ATTRACTION OF ECSTASY
MDMA is
a money maker. Those who are manufacturing the drug are making a killing. (Pun
intended.) The cost of MDMA pills on the
street ranges from $15 to $45 each. Meanwhile, it costs as low as 2 cents to 25
cents per dose to manufacture them. This high profit margin is one of the
factors encouraging MDMA importation to the U.S.
Don't think for an instant that somebody making that kind of money isn't
going to promote what they sell. MDMA is
advertised. The fact that it's illegal
just changes the marketing strategy a bit.
The name, "Ecstasy" alone is worth millions in sales. Every time it's used it calls up pictures of
delight and pleasure. This name didn't
come about by accident, it was a marketing coup.
So what can be done? Declare war
against MDMA? We can't afford another
war against drugs that accomplishes nothing.
Our job is to make people, especially young people aware of the truth --
that they are being told lies about MDMA and that it is a dangerous drug that
can result in permanent disabilities or even death.
Narconon. The Road Out
Toll Free: 888-9NO-DRUGS or 888-966-3784
Mr. Tony Bylsma, a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and
Executive Director of Narconon Drug Prevention & Education, has
since 1980 educated many thousands of students on the dangers of drugs.
In addition he has years of experience in rehabilitating drug addicts.
He can be reached at 1-888-966-3784.
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Truth About Ecstasy 
