Pubdate: Thu, 26 Feb 2004
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2004 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506
Author: Larry McShane, Associated Press
Cited: Partnership for a Drug-Free America http://www.drugfreeamerica.org/

NUMBER OF TEENAGERS USING ECSTASY DROPS

But The Once-trendy Drug Continues To Be A Problem, Researchers Say

NEW YORK -  Teenagers' use of Ecstasy dropped 25 percent over the past
two years, a decrease that translates into an additional 770,000 teens
rejecting the once-trendy drug, a study found.

The study, released Wednesday by the Partnership for a Drug-Free
America, also found that teen drug use overall had declined,
especially involving marijuana, LSD and methamphetamine, researchers
said.

According to the partnership's 16th annual survey, 9 percent of teens
used Ecstasy in 2003, a significant decline from the 12 percent in
2001, when use of the drug hit its peak.

However, the decline does not mean the drug is no longer a problem,
warned Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the partnership.

"Last year, 2 million teenagers in America had tried this drug,"
Pasierb said. "We can -- and we must -- kick Ecstasy while it's down,
and kick it down further."

The study was conducted among 7,270 adolescents nationwide, with a
margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points. Data was
collected from questionnaires that students filled out anonymously
from April through June of 2003.

It found 46 percent of teens reported trying any illegal drug in 2003,
down from 51 percent in 1998. Methamphetamine use fell 33 percent over
that period and LSD use among teenagers was down 42 percent, the
survey found. Marijuana use fell from 42 percent to 39 percent, the
report said.

Tobacco use and underage drinking also were down, although half of all
teens reported drinking alcohol in the last year. One in every five
teens reported using a prescription drug without a doctor's order.

The report mirrored a University of Michigan study, released in
December, which found that drug use among junior and senior high
school students was on a two-year decline.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, launched in 1987, is a
coalition of communications professionals aimed at reducing demand for
illegal drugs.

FDA Warning Against Drug

The government warned consumers Wednesday not to buy or use a liquid
product called Green Hornet being touted as an herbal version of the
illegal drug Ecstasy.

The warning comes after four teenagers were rushed to a Colorado
Springs, Colo., emergency room following use of Green Hornet about a
week ago. They suffered seizures, racing heartbeat, severe body rashes
and high blood pressure, but have recovered.

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether Green Hornet
alone or in combination with other substances caused the severe reactions. 
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