Pubdate: Tue, 14 May 2002
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Gerald Gauthier

BAD ECSTACY BATCH STAYS CLEAR OF CITY

A bad batch of ecstasy that felled three people in Calgary last weekend 
doesn't appear to have hit Lethbridge streets.

Lethbridge city police still warn, however, that anyone dabbling with the 
illegal drug is playing a dangerous game, regardless of its so-called 
"quality".

The biggest risk for users is they have no way of knowing what they're 
buying or the concentration of chemical it contains," said Staff Sgt. Colin 
Catonio.

"You're literally buying poison."

Early Saturday morning in Calgary three men -- all in their early 20s -- 
were taken to hospital after reacting to the drug. All are expected to survive.

"We are seeing (ecstasy) periodically" in Lethbridge, said Catonio. 
"Ecstasy is the new and big thing. It's damaging and people are having fun 
with it, but we haven't had any overdoses that I'm aware of."

Ecstasy -- or methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA -- is a 
synthetic chemical stimulant with hallucinogenic properties that usually 
gives the user a feeling of euphoria. It causes a dramatic increase in the 
user's heart rate, and those who use too much or have heart conditions can 
suffer heart failure and die.

"What might seem like just a casual consumption of drugs may turn out in a 
situation where you have to go to the hospital," he said.

The drug has been connected to the rave scene and is most popular among 
users in their late teens to mid-20s. It's commonly available as tablets 
which currently sell on the street for about $20 each.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens