NDC REVIVES ECSTASY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

BERMUDA'S increasing problem with Ecstasy has led the National Drug
Commission (NDC) to revive an awareness campaign highlighting the
powerful stimulant and its dangers.

The campaign follows accusations made more than a year ago, that the
drug's rising presence was behind a spate of violence on the island --
a claim police said could not be substantiated without evidence
provided by a major seizure.

Although the NDC admits it is yet to receive the most recent Ecstasy
statistics, the organisation's understanding is that finding the drug
is fairly simple.

"I don't think it's difficult, I'll put it that way," said NDC chief
executive officer Dr. Don Philip. "They can get Ecstasy. And that's
the importance of our highlighting the Ecstasy campaign -- the concern
that we have.

"Last October we ran an Ecstasy campaign and we are re-running it at
this time specifically for the students who have returned for the
summer. As you know, Ecstasy is a very dangerous drug. We would like
for them to be aware of the importance of not getting involved in the
use of Ecstasy.

"We know they can be highly influenced by their friends to participate
and so for us, the important thing is to run the campaign as a
preventive mechanism."

Police acknowledge the drug's presence has increased but say that
without actual statistics, best obtained through a measure of seized
substances, it is difficult to know exactly how much is here.

"We have had Ecstasy seizures but nowhere near as much as we get as
cannabis," said police media spokesman Dwayne Caines. "What we do
recognise is that Ecstasy is on the island and in growing numbers.

"So I think that Ecstasy is a cause of concern. In the last few years
we've seen an increase in the number of arrests being made for Ecstasy
possession. But to say that it is the drug of choice, statistically
that is just not borne out by the amount of seizures that we're
getting. Marijuana is and will (most likely) remain the drug of choice
in Bermuda."

While known as being a popular recreational drug for club goers -- the
combined stimulant and hallucinogenic properties enable users to dance
for extended periods -- the spokesman said only a trained eye could
accurately determine whether local night owls are abusing the drug.
However, he applauded the NDC's current campaign as a useful
educational tool.

"The only way you can tell is if you've actually seen the activity. If
someone's using Ecstasy it's very hard to tell. Marijuana you can
smell it. Cocaine you can see it. If somebody pops a pill it's a
little more difficult to tell. But it does exist and that we're certain of.

"Any campaign to educate our community on the dangers of narcotics --
specifically Ecstasy -- in our community would be applauded by the
Bermuda Police Service."

In January of last year, a drug-dealing source informed The Royal
Gazette that increased Ecstasy use combined with heavy drinking had
been behind an early morning "riot" on Front Street. The incident,
which took place at 2.30 a.m. on New Year's Day, saw a bride and groom
run from their wedding reception at No. 6 Shed, the result of clashes
which erupted among a crowd of about 300 people attending a reggae
party at No. 1 Shed.

Police were called to the scene in full riot gear after more than
1,000 spectators blocked off Front Street between Parliament Street
and Chancery Lane. Seven arrests were made -- including a 14-year-old
boy -- and several injuries occurred as the result of what one witness
described as being "like gang warfare".

A police spokesperson then dismissed any possibility that Ecstasy
could have fuelled the riot and refuted the likelihood of an increased
supply on the island.

"Other agencies would have to speak to this, but from my own
information, Ecstasy does not make people aggressive," the
spokesperson said. "There is nothing to suggest heightened Ecstasy use
because we have not made any major seizures on the island. It doesn't
mean there isn't (heightened use), but we have no evidence to suggest
this."

The NDC's print campaign, headlined the 'Truth About Ecstasy: What Parents
Should Know', describes the drug -- its warning signs, symptoms and danger
of use -- and list the agencies concerned people can contact for help. The
group is hoping that it will be prove as successful as a recently-completed
anti-marijuana campaign which began last October.

"That was quite effective," Dr. Philip said. "We've been able to
receive at the NDC requests from several parents inquiring of
information about their children after having seen the ads that were
run; we've had requests from a politician with a relative who has a
problem -- that's the objective of having these preventive campaigns
such as these, going.

"They allow (club goers) to be aware that (the drug is) there and in
their groups and communities. When they go to clubs they must be made
aware that there are some locations that are known to have persons who
have been using Ecstasy. So the important thing is to have a
preventive mechanism and for them to be on their guard."

Dr. Philip said the campaign was also hoping to capture the attention
of youths on the island who had finished high school and are now old
enough to gain entry to clubs and bars.

"They all must be made aware that there are drugs out there. Ecstasy
is something that is easily concealed. It's a drug that one may not be
really aware of and may be tempted or maybe tricked into taking. So
they have to have their guard up.

"It produces a euphoric high with a very troubling bottoming out. It
can create havoc in a young person not knowing what they're doing.
They may get on their bike under the influence. They may drive their
car.

"It's not only dangerous for them, it's dangerous for the public. It
causes brain damage and it's highly addictive so we want to try to
discourage persons from getting involved with it. And that's the
importance of the Ecstasy campaign -- it is a preventative mechanism
that the NDC has in place."

The NDC was now awaiting the most recent statistics on drug use among
middle and high school students, he added. From those, the
organisation should be able to determine a more accurate picture of
Bermuda's drug problem.

"What I can say to you is that based on the results from other
surveys, there was an indication that marijuana and tobacco use has
decreased (with those) under the age of 18. We've done the risk and
protective assessment survey with students from Middle Two through
Senior Four and we're ascertaining right now whether or not (abuse of)
Ecstasy or any of the other drugs, is on the increase.

"Persons who are dealing in these drugs have nefarious ways of
bringing that about. Police, customs, they're the ones who are able to
go out and source these locations. They have their intelligence and
they're able to determine whether or not there's a rise in the use of
Ecstasy.

"But it is extremely easy (to obtain). Friends entice friends to get
involved. The dealer may have a person he is friendly with who invites
(users) to participate in his scheme of selling these drugs. Or they
might just give them away, initially, and get the person involved in
it, get them hooked, and there's the problem right there."