Pubdate: Wed, 09 Oct 2002
Source: Evening Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Northamptonshire Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.northantsnew.co.uk/news/tele/index.asp
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2272

DRUG FEARS RISE AS PRICE DROPS TO AUKP2

ECSTASY use in the county has risen in the last two years due to a steep 
drop in price, it has been claimed.

The drug is becoming more readily available, reducing the price from 
between AUKP15 and AUKP20 a pill in 2000 to as low as AUKP2 today.

Sgt Andy Stuart, of the county police's communities against drugs unit, 
said: "Ecstasy is being produced in this country more and more.

"Manufacturers don't need chemists  " machines are left to run and churn 
out thousands and thousands of tablets in an afternoon.

"The drop in price makes ecstasy more available to younger people. If they 
have only got a few pounds pocket money they can afford it.

"Users were predominantly teenagers and people in their early 20s. Now it 
is people in their late 20s and beyond as well  " it is a fashionable drug."

Kettering General Hospital has also seen a rise in admissions through 
ecstasy, also known as methlylene dioxyamthetamine, or MDMA, which is 
especially harmful if mixed with alcohol or other drugs.

Accident and emergency manager Elaine Rowland said: "We have seen an 
increase in use, not just in younger people who go clubbing, but also 
people in their mid-20s and early 30s."

Agencies responsible for drug counselling and enforcement say it is not 
possible to calculate the full extent of ecstasy use in Northamptonshire.

But it is believed that across the UK an average of two million people use 
it each weekend, largely as a recreational drug.

Police are running campaigns in schools and colleges to make people aware 
of the immediate and long-term health problems ecstasy can cause, as well 
as targeting dealers.

Paul Clark, Wellingborough area manager of the drugs and alcohol agency 
Can, said: "Something that might be a contributor to the increase in 
problems with ecstasy is the national debate about the reclassification of 
certain drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy.

"It gives the message to young people that the risks of using ecstasy are 
very low and that it is a safe drug to use.

"There is no such thing as a safe drug."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth