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