Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jan 2006
Source: Bracebridge Examiner (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 The Bracebridge Examiner Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.bracebridgeexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2354
Author: Jack Tynan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

OPP WARN: ECSTASY IN SCHOOLS

Police are warning residents to be on the lookout for  ecstasy, a 
drug marketed to youth.

Police arrested two teens suspected of using the drug  on December 
28. The pair were found in downtown  Bracebridge just before 3 a.m. 
One, a 19-year-old  Gravenhurst man, had the drug in his possession 
and was charged, according to Bracebridge OPP. The other, 
a  15-year-old from Bracebridge, was warned and taken home  to his parents.

The drug, also known as E, Adam and 'the love drug' is  usually 
peddled to youth, according to Bracebridge OPP  Constable Ted Smith.

"Yeah, ecstasy is available in Muskoka," Smith said.  "Certainly it's 
being reported now by students who know  someone who is using or has used it."

Smith has taught drug education classes in local  schools for the 
past three years and said during a  recent session with grade nine 
and 10 students, an  estimated third of students reported knowing a 
student who has taken ecstasy.

"You do these presentations with these kids and when  you put the 
ecstasy tablets on the [video] screen, in  half the cases someone 
goes 'whoa, hey man, that's  cool,'" he said. "That's what the people 
who deal this  stuff want. It's simply about making money. They don't 
care about the well-being of the people taking it."

The tablets come in many colours and shapes designed to  appeal to youth.

Tablets seized during the December arrest in  Bracebridge were blue 
with red hearts and a Superman  crest pressed on them. Each tablet is 
worth $10 to $20  on the street, Smith said.

"I want parents to be aware it is here and talk to  their kids about 
it," he said.

Even at low doses, ecstasy can cause users to grind  their teeth and 
increase blood pressure, or can lead to  panic attacks, nausea, 
vomiting and convulsions. After  use, users can experience paranoia, 
depression, sleep  problems and memory loss. It can also lead to 
kidney or  heart failure, strokes, seizures and liver damage. 
Research has shown that use can damage brain cells and  chemistry 
negatively affecting learning and memory.

Several Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School  students 
hanging out downtown on Wednesday said they  have seen the drug or 
know someone who has used it.

"I know a lot of people who did it," said Samantha  Bogart, 15. "They 
do it on weekends and stuff and then  they come back to school."

It's not the most prevalent drug among teens, but a  common one, said 
her friend Claire Poole, 15.

A grade 12 student, who did not want to give his name,  said he's 
seen ecstasy at parties while his classmate,  who also asked his name 
be withheld, said he's never  seen the pills, but knows others who 
have used it. Both  teens said cocaine is much more common.

"Cocaine's easier to find than anything," said one of  the teens. "We 
can find it all over the place. Look on  the streets. You'll find 
someone with it."

Ecstasy often contains unknown drugs or fillers such as  the highly 
addictive and dangerous drug  methamphetamine, also known as crystal 
ice or speed,  according to the OPP. While usually sold as a tablet 
that can be swallowed, it can also be crushed and  snorted.

Preliminary data from the office of the Chief Coroner  suggests 41 
deaths have been associated to ecstasy use  between 1999 and 2004 in 
Ontario. A 2005 Ontario Drug  Use Survey reveals 8.1 per cent of 
grade 12 students  report using the drug.

Police are asking that anyone with information about  local use or 
dealing of ecstasy contact Bracebridge OPP  or Crime Stoppers.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom