STAY OFF THE PILL, SAYS FORMER ADDICT

KUALA LUMPUR: There is much more to life than popping Ecstasy in discotheques, a former user found this out the hard way.

Eighteen-year-old Amy (not her real name) was on the drug for some eight months until she got busted three weeks ago when police raided a Cheras discotheque where she was getting high.

"When some good friends heard of my arrest they extended a helping hand. They began advising me on the evils of Ecstasy.

"From there I began to rediscover the joys of life," she said at the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department headquarters yesterday.

She said after friends brought her to Genting Highlands and other places outside Kuala Lumpur she realised that these places were so beautiful compared to the dark and stuffy atmosphere at the discotheque.

Amy comes from a broken home and dropped out of school after Form Five.

Before she found a new lease of life, she was working in a video rental shop. Her only recreation was the discotheque and the only pleasure she derived from her troubled life was when she was high on Ecstasy.

Before the MCA waged an all-out war against Ecstasy abuse, Amy had no idea about the dangers of Ecstasy use.

"We usually go to the discotheque in a group. One of the guys told us about this pill that can make you forget all your troubles.

"He produced some of the pills and each of us took half. From then on I just got addicted to it," she said.

"Sometimes when I am high people would take advantage of me. You just don't know what you are doing anymore," she said.

Although Amy still suffers from slight mental retardation she feels good being free from Ecstasy.

Amy said she has no grand ambition in life but plans to set up her own VCD stall one day. Her advice was simple: "Stay free from Ecstasy."