Transcript Slide 1

Ecstasy:
What’s All the
Rave About?
Overview
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What is ecstasy?
What are ecstasy’s effects and signs of use?
Who uses ecstasy?
What are the treatment options?
What can be done to prevent ecstasy use?
Where can we get more information?
What is ecstasy?
Ecstasy
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
XTC
Disco Biscuits
Adam
Essence
X
Go
Truck Driver
Clarity
Cristal
Hug Drug
Ecstasy use is one of the most rapidly growing
phenomena in today’s drug scene.
What is ecstasy?
• Illegal “club drug”
• White crystalline powder with a slightly musty
odor
• Produces effects similar to mescaline
(hallucinogen) and speed (stimulant)
• Usually in gelatin capsules or tablets
• Stamped with names or symbols
Ecstasy pills often contain other
dangerous substances
Ecstasy facts
• Patented in the early 1900’s
• Classified as an illegal drug in 1985
• Produced in Holland and Belgium for less than
$1 a tablet
• Domestic traffickers sell tablets for $20 to $40
each
• Customs seized 10 times more MDMA tablets in
1999 than in 1998.
What ae ecstasys
effects/signs of use?
The effects of ecstasy
Short-term effects
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Feelings of well-being and empathy
Reduced anxiety
Enhanced self-confidence
Greater acceptance of others
Increased energy
Increased desire for physical contact and visual
stimulation
• Intensified awareness of senses
Ecstasy’s downside
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Increases in heart rate and blood pressure
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Jaw tightness
Compulsive chewing and teeth clenching
Anxiety, panic, and depression
Health risks increase if ecstasy is combined with
another drug
Ecstasy can be deadly
What comes after
the “high”?
• Hungover feeling and depression—
“e-tarded”
• Moodiness, anxiety, and paranoia
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Chills or sweating
• General tiredness
Long-term effects
• Long-lasting changes
– Possible brain damage
• Tolerance
– Need greater amounts for the same effects
• Dependence
– Unable to socialize without MDMA
Signs of “rave” culture
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Pacifiers
Surgical masks and mentholated rub
Neon glowsticks
Brightly colored beads
Clothing with the letters PLUR
Who uses
ecstasy?
Who uses ecstasy?
• In 2000, 6.4 million Americans had used ecstasy
at least once. (2000 SAMHSA Household Survey)
• Ecstasy use is most widespread among white,
upper-middle-class youth. (2000 Monitoring the Future)
• African-American students are much less likely
than white or Hispanic students to use ecstasy.
(2000 Monitoring the Future)
• MDMA use has jumped, especially among
younger students. (2000 Monitoring the Future)
Anyone can be an
ecstasy user
Teenagers
College students
Youth at all-night parties
Gay men
Professionals in many fields
People searching for spiritual enlightenment
What ae the
teatment options ?
Available Treatments
• No specific treatments exist for ecstasy use
• Diagnosing ecstasy use is difficult
• Dependency can be addressed with cognitive
behavior therapy and self-help groups
What can be done to
pevent ecstasy use?
Caregivers can help prevent
ecstasy use
• Establish and maintain good communication
with youth
• Be involved in young peoples’ lives
• Be a positive role model
• Let young people know what is expected of them
• Show appreciation for young people
• Teach youth to choose friends wisely
• Monitor youth activities
Help children
refuse drugs
Prevention requires
community involvement
• A community working together includes:
– Parents, youth, and families
– Faith communities
– Media
– Schools
– Professional and civic groups
– Health and social services
– Courts/Law enforcement
– Businesses
– Treatment agencies and health organizations
Establish a no-use
community norm
Whee can we get
moe infomation?
Resources
• SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and
Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686,
www.SAMHSA.gov.
Click on Campaigns and Programs and go to the
Drug Facts icon.
• Informational Web sites
– whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
– www.nida.nih.gov
– www.preventiondss.org
– www.clubdrugs.org
– www.cadca.org
Ecstasy:
What’s All the Rave About?
To view slide presentation, 30-minute video,
and 90-minute teleconference go to:
www.SAMHSA.gov
Click on Campaigns and Programs and go to the Drug
Facts icon
To order the VHS video call:
1-800-729-6686
Ecstasy: What’s All the
Rave About?
Teleconference produced by
The Office of National Drug Control Policy
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
National Guard Bureau’s Counterdrug Office
National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse
as part of the teleconference series
Myths, Facts, and Illicit Drugs: What You Should Know