CLINTON HAILS DECLINE IN DRUG USE, BUT STILL SEES PERIL FOR TEENS

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Clinton praised recent signs of progress in
curbing drug use yesterday but bemoaned the fact that "drugs continue to
exact a tremendous toll" on young people dabbling in steroids and club
drugs such as ecstasy.

In receiving the final report from his drug policy adviser, Clinton said he
was glad the report showed that drug-related murders are at their lowest
level in 10 years and that drug use by young people aged 12-17 is down 21
percent since 1997.

But, he said, studies also are providing disturbing evidence of increased
use of steroids, ecstasy and other drugs. "Too many young people are still
using alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances," Clinton said.

"We must never give up on making our children's futures safe and
drug-free," he said. "Despite our progress, drugs continue to exact a
tremendous toll on our nation."

Barry McCaffrey, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy,
noted that drug education and prevention efforts have not kept up with the
onslaught of new drugs such as ecstasy, known chemically as
methylenedioxymenthylamphetamine, or MDMA.

Those who use ecstasy normally experience feelings of euphoria and an
increased desire for social interaction. They also experience dramatic
increases in blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature.

Use of MDMA has spread rapidly across the country, McCaffrey said, with an
"explosive increase in exposure among our children."

"They think it's a hug drug, it's a dance-all-night, feel-good drug,"
McCaffrey said. But ecstasy also may permanently impair the brain's
neurochemical functions, McCaffrey said.

McCaffrey also noted that steroid use is up, particularly among youths who
want "to get that slightly ripped look . . . to improve their chance of
getting selected for Little League baseball, or high school diving, or track."