AGONY OF ECSTASY

TEENAGE drug use is on the decline in America, and the really good news is
the use of Ecstasy has dropped substantially in the past two years. A new
study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and another study
commissioned by the partnership show that the declines are due in part to
media campaigns that educate young people about the dangers of specific drugs.

Medical experts have been particularly concerned about Ecstasy. As the use
of other drugs remained stable or declined, Ecstasy use peaked in 2001 when
12 percent of teens surveyed said they had tried it.

The decline to 9 percent in 2003 came after a two-year, $30 million
education campaign targeting Ecstasy, which gives users a euphoric feeling
but also causes seizures, strokes and is believed to damage brain cells.
The 2003 levels are still above those reported in 1998. Overall, the number
of teens who reported trying any illegal drug fell to 46 percent from 51
percent in 1998.

Still, researchers remain concerned about an increased use of inhalants,
improper use of prescription drugs and the lack of parent-child
communication concerning drugs. Parents can be a huge influence when it
comes to whether their teens will try drugs. Yet the study found that only
one in three teens said they learned a lot about the risks of drugs at home.

"While we're pleased with the remarkable decrease in Ecstasy use, new drug
threats emerge regularly," said Steve Pasierb, the partnership's president.
"We must stay focused on the continual need to educate new generations of
kids about the risks of drugs, while finding new ways to engage parents in
educating teens about drugs thoroughly and convincingly."

Parents must take seriously the ease with which many students can obtain
drugs and peer pressure. Adults can't afford to be timid in talking to
teens about drugs.