ECSTASY Ecstasy is classified as a very strong drug used for emotional, metal, and physical high this drug is mostly used at raves and other big party gatherings. "Ecstasy (MDMA)." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances. Ed. Barbara C. Bigelow. Vol. 3. Detroit: UXL, Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Mar

VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS: Ecstasy pills come in various colors and designs.In order to market their product, 'cooks' [drug makers] in many areas produce ecstasy pills in a variety of colors and shapes, with numerous logos, labels, and stamps. Corporate names, fashion designers, and cartoon characters are often featured. Popular designs include the letter "e," hearts, shamrocks, animals, smiley faces, car logos, the Nike symbol, Pokemon characters, Batman, Superman, Popeye, Mickey Mouse, Buddha, and the Statue of Liberty. Patterns and colors often vary by region of the country. "Ecstasy (MDMA)." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances. Ed. Barbara C. Bigelow. Vol. 3. Detroit: UXL, Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Mar

IMPACTS IT CAN HAVE Ecstasy abuse has been linked to long- term depression, panic attacks, impulsive behavior, and memory loss—all symptoms of a serotonin imbalance in the brain. "Ecstasy (MDMA)." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances. Ed. Barbara C. Bigelow. Vol. 3. Detroit: UXL, Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 20 Mar

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS- Changes in perception, including euphoria and increased sensitivity to touch, energy, sensual and sexual arousal, need to be touched, and need for stimulation. All these effects usually occur within 30 to 45 minutes of swallowing the drug and usually last 4 to 6 hours, but they may occur or last weeks after ingestion. "Ecstasy or MDMA." Drug Enforcement Administration. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar

Lynn Smith grew up in Pennsylvania. Everyone knew her and she knew everyone. Lynn was a straight-A student with the hopes and dreams of becoming an actor. After graduating from high school she moved to New York to follow her dreams. Everything around her has changed. She found another life, a life of drugs. Everyone did drugs and she joined in, hoping to be accepted. She smoked pot, tried cocaine, but ecstasy was the drug that changed her life. At first holding down two jobs while going to college left little time for partying, but when she graduated things changed. She used ecstasy more often. As she did that, she looked down on those who didn’t. She forgot about her old friends and made new friends. Her weekends were full of partying and going to bars and clubs. Eventually it didn’t matter where she went, as long as she did ecstasy, she had fun. She came to New York with the intention of becoming an actor, drugs made her forget about her dreams. She just stopped auditioning and her life was all about drugs now. Five months later, she felt like a dying person. One night she felt like she jumped out of her skin. She had horrible images and kept asking if she was dead. Her mom came and picked her up, and took her to the hospital. For 14 days she was in a state of confusion. After that she lived a life of recovery. She was given a second chance, not a lot of people get that chance. "Ecstasy or MDMA." Drug Enforcement Administration. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar