Pubdate: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 Source: Independent (UK) Copyright: 2002 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd. Contact: http://www.independent.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209 Author: Chris Gray ECSTASY DEATHS DOUBLE AS PRICE OF DRUG HALVES The number of ecstasy-related deaths in England and Wales doubled last year as younger people used stronger forms of the drug and street prices halved. More than 40 people died after taking ecstasy in 2001, twice the number reported the year before and almost four times as many as in 1998. Drug workers said the rise, revealed in figures released by the Centre for Addiction Studies at St George's hospital in London, could be down to younger ecstasy-users being unaware of how to reduce the risks of taking the drug. The figures were released less than a month after the death of 10-year-old Jade Slack, from Lancaster, who died after accidentally swallowing some ecstasy pills. The research, led by consultant psychiatrist Dr Fabrizio Schifano, identified at least 40 ecstasy-related deaths last year, compared to 20 in 2000, 17 in 1999 and 11 in 1998. A spokesman for the centre said the use of stronger forms of ecstasy, including a new version called paramethoxyamphetamine, was an emerging trend. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek