ECSTASY DRUG INVADES CITY

Area parents and guardians believing the big city drug woes are far
away from their doorsteps may want to think again, as local law
enforcement officials report a recent influx of the drug ecstasy.

Commonly referred to as "X," a quantity of the drug was recently
confiscated by the Big Spring Police Department's Narcotics Unit,
according to Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer for the BSPD.

"Within the past month, the Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant
and located 69 dosage units of ecstasy, and believe it may just be a
small portion of what is actually circulating throughout Big
Spring," said Everett. "We want to inform and educate local
residents - especially parents and guardians - of this influx of the drug."

Everett said everything - from the drug's appearance to the
paraphernalia surrounding it - is aimed at young people.

"Everything from its name to its physical characteristics targets
the younger generation," said Everett. "Ecstasy is usually found in
the form of a tablet or capsule, often with a symbol -
everything from cartoon characters to shapes and designs - on
it. It occasionally comes as a powder.

"Ecstasy users have discovered certain products can be used to
combat the drug's common side effects, such as jaw muscle tension
and teeth grinding. They have also discovered ways to increase the
sensation from ecstasy use."

Everett said those products - which can often be found at parties
where the drug is being used - can serve as an early warning to parents.

"Parents need to be aware of these innocent looking items, which
could be an indication of ecstasy use or addiction," said Everett.
"Pacifiers, lollipops, florescent light sticks, menthol nasal
inhalers, Vick's Vapor Rub eye drops and candy necklaces or
bracelets are all commonly found at these parties. Each of
them either helps relieve jaw muscle tension and teeth grinding, or
it increases the stimulation and enhances the visual effects of the
drugs. Common objects like breath mint or gum tins are also being
used to conceal the pills."

According to Everett, ecstasy is a Schedule 1 synthetic,
psychoactive drug that possesses stimulant and hallucinogenic
properties. Ecstasy contains MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine),
which possesses chemical variations of the stimulant amphetamine
and methamphetamine and a hallucinogen, most often mescaline.

The drug is well known for its ability to produce feelings of
overwhelming euphoria, a strong sense of intimacy with others, and
pronounced overall civility, and is commonly associated with the
rave culture and its related genres of music.

Everett said ecstasy's popularity among the youth has been fueled by
the myth it is a safe drug, is not harmful and doesn't cause drug
addiction, which the police sergeant said couldn't be further from the truth.

"The fact of the matter is the amount of MDMA needed to get high is
dangerously close to a toxic dose," said Everett. "The potential
dangers of ecstasy abuse include nausea, hallucinations, chills and
sweating, increased body temperature, tremors, muscle cramping,
muscle breakdown and blurred vision. It's also been known to cause
severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, heart and kidney failure,
seizures, stroke, brain damage - and even death."

Everett said the drug is also used to sexually exploit females while
they are under its influence.

"And what a lot of people don't understand is there are long term
effects the drug can have on the brain," said Everett. "It actually
injures the brain in ways that last long after the user stops taking
it. A study showed habitual ecstasy users suffer long-term
neurological damage, and recreational users may be in danger of
developing permanent brain damage. This could manifest into
depression, anxiety, memory loss, neuro-psychiatric disorder and
drug addiction. Other evidence suggests ecstasy affects its users in
ways similar to Alzheimer's disease.

"Also, numerous scientific studies have shown significant
impairments in memory and learning in individuals who have taken
ecstasy. They indicate the effect ecstasy use has on the memory
can't simply be attributed to withdrawal or residual effects, and
it could result in persistent memory damage."

The best weapon in the battle against ecstasy use, according to
Everett, is good, reliable information.

"Our primary concern has to be for the safety of our children," said
Everett. "We want to make sure we get this information out there and
in the hands of the parents and guardians who need it most. If
anyone has any questions regarding the drug, they are welcome
to contact the police department's Narcotics Unit at (432) 264-2595."