Pubdate: Sat, 03 Aug 2002
Source: Saratogian, The (NY)
Copyright: The Saratogian 2002
Contact:  http://www.saratogian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2100
Author: Jim Kinney, The Saratogian
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

ECSTASY, SPEED SIMILAR DRUGS

ALBANY -- Drug abusers probably wouldn't have been able to tell the 
difference between the Ecstasy they thought they were getting and 
methamphetamine sold to them.

"They are both stimulant-type drugs," said Timothy Lesar, director of the 
pharmacy at Albany Medical Center. "At low doses, they would have the same 
effects. People might have never taken Ecstasy before. They would just 
think this is what Ecstasy feels like."

He said methamphetamine is a more potent drug that often produces a more 
jittery high than Ecstasy. Lesar holds a doctorate in pharmacy.

He said it was once believed that Ecstasy wasn't as harmful as 
methamphetamine, also known as speed.

"We're finding out that's not true as the doses get higher and people have 
been using for longer periods of time," Lesar said.

Both drugs can cause psychosis, dangerous overheating and heart problems, 
Lesar said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager