MDMA (Ecstasy) and Teen Drug Use

In 2002 MDMA (Ecstasy) and Teen Drug Use was on the Rise

Teen drug use continues to increase as the club drug MDMA (Ecstasy) is the drug of choice despite growing evidence of its potential harmful effects. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or "Ecstasy") has gained a deceptive reputation as a "safe" drug among its users. This illegal drug, which has both stimulant and psychedelic properties, is often taken for the feelings of well-being, stimulation, as well as the distortions in time and sensory perceptions that it produces. MDMA first became popular in the "rave" and all-night party scene, but its use has now spread to a wide range of settings and demographic subgroups. According to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 10 million people have tried MDMA at least once.

Myths abound about both the acute effects and long-term consequences of this drug, often called "Ecstasy" or "X". Indeed, one reason for the rapid rise in the drug\s popularity is that many teens believe that MDMA is a new safe drug, but MDMA (Ecstasy) and teen drug use continued to increase.  MDMA is not new to the scientific community, with many laboratories beginning their investigations of this drug in the 1980s, and the picture emerging from their efforts is of a drug that is far from being harmless. For example, MDMA can cause a dangerous increase in body temperature that can lead to cardiovascular failure. MDMA can also increase heart rate, blood pressure, and heart wall stress which creates a problem with teen drug use.

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