Pubdate: Tue, 07 Feb 2012
Source: High River Times (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.highrivertimes.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.highrivertimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/781
Author: Craig Baird
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

ANYTHING BUT ECSTASY

Unless you have been living under a rock lately, you know that there 
have been a number of ecstasy related deaths in the Calgary area. 
While an ecstasy dealer was recently arrested in Banff, it is unclear 
whether or not the deaths are going to stop since the ecstasy is 
still circulating within the area.

Sadly, High River has not been immune to this, with one new resident 
passing away at the High River Hospital after taking tainted ecstasy.

The question then has to be asked, why are people still taking 
ecstasy despite the obvious danger?

Most likely it comes down to the chronic problem most of us seem to 
have; the "It won't happen to me" syndrome.

When we think of disaster, disease or devastation we think it happens 
to others, not ourselves, and that mentality is killing those who 
take ecstasy in the area.

Should those who take ecstasy then hold off until this all blows 
over? Is ecstasy a safe drug to take when there is no danger of it 
being laced with something else?

Of course not. It is a narcotic that can cause severe harm for the 
human body and excessive use of it has proven severe long-term consequences.

In the study Human Pyschopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, it 
was found that ecstasy use can cause lasting problems with the memory 
centres in the brain.

The study discovered that 70 to 80 per cent of ecstasy users suffered 
impaired memory, both long-term and short-term.

Another study found that ecstasy use causes damage to the liver, wear 
on the teeth and in some cases, hallucinogen persisting perception 
disorder. Individuals with this disorder suffer with the continual 
presence of visual disturbances. Think of it as a bad acid trip that 
lasts for a very long time and, in some cases, never ends.

As of yet, there is no cure for the condition and the effects of the 
disorder can continue on for years, even after the drug use has ceased.

Other interesting effects of ecstasy use are hyperthermia and the 
rising of the core body temperature to dangerous levels.

Are the short-term highs one gets from the drug worth the intense 
side-effects that can last for months, even years, if the drug is 
taken in high enough concentrations for a long enough period of time? 
Absolutely not, but that doesn't seem to stop its use, nor that of 
any hard drug.

The sad thing is that the media and the RCMP can get the message out 
about the dangers of ecstasy all they want but it will continue to be 
a problem. If there are drugs out there that give someone a high, 
there will be people out there willing to use it, no matter the 
warnings that are levied against the drug.

As of this writing, there have been eight ecstasy deaths in the area, 
and there is a strong possibility that number will keep rising.

The only way the deaths can stop is if those who take ecstasy make 
the conscious choice not to take it.

The people who have taken the drug and died are not necessarily bad 
people, although they may be a bit misguided, but that didn't stop 
them from ignoring the warnings and taking the drug.

There is no good time to take ecstasy, there is no safe environment 
to consume the drug, but there is always a good time to stop using it 
and that time is now.

No high is worth the danger of losing your life and causing your 
friends and loved ones untold grief when you take a drug that kills you.

Heed the message, quit the E.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom