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