ECSTACY Leia, Sam, Helen, Tara

What is Ecstasy? Schedule 1 drug Stimulant Street names: Lover’s speed Love pill Elephant Hug Drug E X Cadillac Scooby Snacks

How it Enters the Body Pill form Injection Liquid Snorted

Statistics 9 million Ecstasy users worldwide 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 12 million Americans aged 12 or older tried Ecstasy at least once in their lives 2.3% of 8th graders, 5.2% of 10th graders, and 6.5% of 12th graders 92% of those who begin using Ecstasy later turn to other drugs

History 1912- developed by Merck (known as MDMA) 1953- US Army used drug in psychological warfare tests 1960s- Psychotherapy medication to lower inhibitions 1970s- became party drug 1980s- gained popularity 1984- still legal, sold as “Ecstasy” 1985- Ecstasy banned due to safety concerns

How People Get Started: Parties How People Get Addicted: They like the feeling (effect diminishes) The more you take the drug the more you like and get use to it People continue to take the drug despite the feeling or effect

Short-Term Effects: Impaired judgment False sense of affection Confusion Depression Sleep problems Severe anxiety Paranoia Drug cravings Muscle tension Faintness & chills or swelling Involuntary teeth clenching Blurred vision Nausea Long-Term Effects: Brain damage Nerve damage Depression, anxiety, memory loss Kidney failure Hemorrhaging Psychosis Cardiovascular collapse Convulsions Death

Other Sometimes mixed with substances such as rat poison Can cause liver failure Can die from dehydration, exhaustion and heart attack