I'M IN ECSTASY

Love drug, beans, rolls, whatever you may want to call it, Jamaica is
caught up in ecstasy.

Ecstasy is a man-made drug which acts as a stimulant. Common street
names include XTC, beans, rolls, love drug and Adam. It is a popular
recreational drug and its use has grown over the past 10 years.

Ecstasy is certainly available here in Jamaica. Use of the drug is
reported by dancers, sex workers and persons who 'hang out' at night
clubs or by those who like to be up and around at nights. The police
have also reported an increase in the seizure of this drug.

What is a stimulant? A stimulant is a drug that gives an individual
'a high' and a feeling of increased energy. It gives the user a
feeling of well-being and he or she may feel that everything is right
with the world.

You may ask, why is ecstasy used in night clubs? The answer is that
it allows persons to stay awake for longer periods and they are able
to dance for longer periods and to perform as needs be throughout the
night. It also gives a feeling of comfort and connection with other
people in the nightclub.

Four-hour high

It takes about half an hour for the drug to start acting after it is
taken and its effects last for about four hours.

How does it affect the brain? It acts on a number of chemicals in the
brain. One of the main chemicals affected is serotonin. Serotonin
regulates sleep, sex, mood and aggression.

What about the price, It is a relatively expensive drug? The price
varies between $500 and $1,000 per pill.

Health risks

Ecstasy is associated with a number of health problems.

Physical problems include muscle tension, nausea, impaired vision,
clenching of the teeth and excessive sweating. It may also increase
the heart rate and blood pressure in some individuals. Ecstasy
affects the areas of the brain responsible for thinking and memory.

Down and out: After using this drug one may get 'a crash' which is
associated with the feeling that one is slowing down.

Loss of the magic: Many persons report that they lose the effect of
this drug after 10 uses and as a result there is a tendency to take
more of the drug, more frequently, in order to achieve 'a high'.

Get 'high' on life: Remember drug use can be harmful.

Pursue a healthy lifestyle. Eat right, exercise well and get adequate
sleep.

Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer,
University of the West Indies.