ECSTASY USE ON THE INCREASE AMONG BAY STATE TEENS

BOSTON -- While youth drinking and pot-smoking has dropped across the
state, the use of Ecstasy among teens in high school has doubled, according
to a Department of Public Health report released yesterday.

The DPH came up with its numbers by conducting an adolescent substance
abuse study at 169 schools in 106 communities.

The study was voluntary and anonymous for the students. It was their choice
whether or not to participate and their answers were not verified.

The state surveyed 6,980 students in grades 6-12 in a study that it repeats
every three years.

In 1999, the most recent year for which the numbers were collected, the
number of students who tried Ecstasy or were currently using it rose 45
percent among seventh- and eighth-graders. In grades nine through 12, more
than have of the youths surveyed -- 56 percent -- had tried Ecstasy.

Ecstasy -- a sensory enhancing stimulant with many of the characteristics
of amphetamines or speed -- has gained popularity among club goers and is
commonly found at raves or all-night, alcohol-free parties.

The drug's popularity has skyrocketed nationally since 1996. Even so, its
use in Massachusetts is more than double the national average.

" We obviously have many challenges ahead in regards to club drugs, " said
Commissioner of Public Health Howard Koh.

" It's getting to be a problem " said Lt. Detective Alfred Grassey of the
Natick Police.

" I know it's out there. Kids are experimenting with it, kids are talking
about it at the high school, but we haven't had any major busts, " he said.

Ralph Olsen, principal of Framingham High School, said he believes alcohol
and marijuana remain the drugs of choice for high schools students.

" Ecstasy has arrived on the scene, " he said. " It's around. "

Olsen said there have been presentations to staff about how to detect the
use of Ecstasy. Staff and faculty are aware of the symptoms: dilated
pupils, excessive thirst and grinding teeth.

On the plus side, alcohol use in all grades has declined. The average age
at which youths are trying alcohol for the first time has risen from 11 to
about 12, the highest age since 1990. Also, alcohol use by students age 9
or younger declined by 48 percent in the last three years.

Students using marijuana as well as those who reported they had tried it
but did not regularly use it declined in all grades in 1999.

Marijuana experimentation occurred a year later than with alcohol -- at age
13 -- among those who took part in the study.

Sixty-three percent of seventh-to 12-graders reported never having used
marijuana.

" We are witnessing the power of prevention at work, " Koh said.

The study also showed a sharp decline in the use of inhalants such as hair
spray, gasoline, nitrous oxide from whipped cream cans and nail polish remover.

Inhalants are most common among 8th and 9th graders, unlike alcohol and
marijuana, which are popular at older ages.

From 1996 to 1999, inhalant use among 6th graders dropped 39 percent,
while among high schoolers, it fell 23 percent, the report said.