BECAUSE ECSTASY IS ILLEGAL, THERE IS NO SAFE SOURCE

DEAR NOAH:

I'm interested in doing E, but I'm worried about where to get it.

I don't know what it should look like or who I can trust to get me the right
stuff. What can you suggest?

- - Curious

DEAR CURIOUS:

Have you considered the negative effects? First of all, Ecstasy is illegal,
which means you won't find it on the shelves in a drugstore.

There's no quality control and you may well get cocktails of other drugs.
Therefore, you should be worried about where to get it because there isn't a
"safe" place to find it. You never really know what you're putting into your
body.

Make no mistake, Ecstasy is not mild. It is a powerful drug and it can kill
you. In the past year, three people in Ontario have died using Ecstasy. It
can also cause you to experience jaw clenching, teeth grinding, muscle
tightening, sweating, chills, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, blood
pressure and body temperature. For people with pre-existing health
conditions, it can be very damaging.

One of the biggest concerns about Ecstasy is the possible long-term damage
to the brain. The drug influences serotonin levels in the brain and
scientists are not yet sure of its long-term effects.

For more information on Ecstasy, you can call the Addiction Research
Foundation at
1-800-463-6273.

DEAR JULIA:

I heard about someone whose nasal passages collapsed from doing too much
crystal. Is this a common occurrence?

- - Rumour Checker

DEAR RUMOUR CHECKER:

Well, my experience with crystal meth is rather limited. I knew a boy who
snorted it once upon a time and he mentioned he was afflicted with
nosebleeds.

According to current research, crystal (methamphetamine), like cocaine,
amphetamines and all stimulants, is a "vasoconstrictor," meaning that the
blood supply is cut off to the area where the drug is delivered.

This means that if you snort crystal, the lining of your nose can develop
ulcers (ewww!) as a result of inadequate blood supply. I am not certain that
these ulcers could cause the nose to collapse; however, with long-term use
it is theoretically possible.

Let's not forget that crystal meth is highly illegal and highly addictive.

Long-term use can cause violent and aggressive behaviour and severe
paranoia.

It can also cause anxiety, increased blood pressure, psychosis, nervousness,
convulsions, heart and blood vessel toxicity, insomnia, anorexia and
hallucinations. Something to think about. . . .

Julia Dow is a high school student in Toronto. Noah Lander of Ottawa
is a social work student at Ryerson Polytechnic University.

Send questions to: Confidentially Yours, Young People's Press, 110
Eglinton Ave. W., Suite 200, Toronto, Ont. M4R 1A3. Or fax: (416)
484-8173. Or E-mail: yppto@planeteer.com.