Street+Youth+and+Ecstasy

ECSTASY
====**Ecstasy is MDMA, or 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It belongs to a family of drugs called "entactogens," which literally means "touching within." It is a semisynthetic drug. Before it was made illegal in 1985, MDMA was used by psychiatrists as a therapeutic tool. Studies are currently underway in Spain and Israel assessing MDMA's effectiveness in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Ecstasy is also known on the streets as E, X, EX, XTC, Adam, Eve, love drug, eccy, MDMA, PMA, eggs**. ====

**WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? **
====**MDMA is a "mood elevator" that produces a relaxed, euphoric state. It does not produce hallucinations. MDMA takes effect 20 to 40 minutes after taking a tablet, with little rushes of exhilaration which can be accompanied by nausea. 60 to 90 minutes after taking the drug, the user feels the peak effects. Sensations are enhanced and the user experiences heightened feelings of empathy, emotional warmth, and self-acceptance. The effects of 'real' ecstasy subside after about 3-5 hours.**==== ====**Users report that the experience is very pleasant and highly controllable. Even at the peak of the effect, people can usually deal with important matters. The effect that makes MDMA different from other drugs is empathy, the sensation of understanding and accepting others.**====

====**Negative effects include - Studies of ecstasy users show that there are risks in the safety and reduction in the brain activity, due to the loss of serotonin levels going up and down so drastically. Long periods of ecstasy use indicate that the increases of MDMA may be fun at first but very toxic to the brain, and can cause damage to the body and brain cells. Some of the consequences caused by long periods of use include Dehydration, Hypertension, Hyperthermia, Heart failure and Kidney failure.**====

**IS ECSTASY ADDICTIVE?**
====**Ecstasy is not physically addictive. However, the drug can often take on great importance in people's lives, and some people become rather compulsive in their use. Taken too frequently, however, MDMA loses its special effect.** **MDMA releases the brain chemical serotonin, elevating mood and acting as a short-term antidepressant. Compulsive users may be unconsciously trying to self-medicate for depression. ( Drug Rehab Information, 2007)**====

**STREET YOUTH AND ECSTASY**
====**According to a survey of street youth across Canada conducted in 2003, approximately 5% of youth not using injection drugs had used ecstasy (MDMA) during the three preceding months. (Public Health agency Of Canada, 2006)**====