RISE IN ECSTASY USE WORRIES OFFICIALS

Public-health workers are mounting a back-to-school campaign that paints a
candid portrait of a popular, but potentially-deadly drug.

"Ecstasy tends to reduce inhibitions, which is why the kids like it," said
Velma Shewfelt, co-ordinator of Think Clear.

"But that can have some bad consequences."

Prompted by rising interest in this so-called designer drug, Shewfelt and
her colleagues are producing a comic book-style resource, highlighting the
dangers associated with its use.

"The evidence suggests it causes some type of brain damage every time you
use it," she added. "And you just don't know how your body is going to react."

Researchers do know that Ecstasy interferes with the body's ability to
control temperature, and accelerates dehydration - a hazardous combination
that can lead to kidney failure and other serious problems.

A favourite at all-night "raves" - dance parties held in warehouses and
other off-the-map spots - the drug is quickly gaining in popularity among
older, urban professionals, she added.

"It has become trendy and it isn't just kids who are using it," said Shewfelt.

Neither is demand limited to larger cities.

Last week, police seized more than 500 Ecstasy tablets during a raid on a
Barrie Road home.

Even in its purest form, the drug is reported to be wildy unpredictable,
affecting individual users differently, depending on their mood or physical
condition.

Some batches have been found to contain any number of other dangerous
substances, mixed in to lower production costs.

"You don't know what dose it has and you don't know what is in it," she
said. "It could be Drano or baby powder. Then there are times it is cut
with things like heroin, so you are getting a lot more than you bargained for."

Slated for an early September release, Think Clear's resource book is
geared toward senior elementary-school students, though Shewfelt is hoping
it will prove a useful learning tool for parents, teachers and others
wanting to know more about a drug that has only recently become the focus
of serious study.

"There isn't a lot of solid, reliable material available," she said.

"We wanted something that would be student and adult-friendly."

Working under the auspices of the county's health unit, the
provincially-funded Think Clear project promotes harm-reduction and
injury-prevention as they relate to drug and alcohol use.

"Obviously, kids have questions (about Ecstasy)," she added.

"The teachers were asking us because they couldn't answer the questions."

Sold in tablets, gelatin capsules or powder form, Ecstasy is produced in
different shapes, sizes and colours, depending on the manufacturer.

Users claim to enjoy a sense of euphoria and general well being, though
side-effects can include a spike in both blood pressure and heart rate,
nausea, jaw pain, panic attacks, blurred vision and vomiting, experts warn.

Confusion, insomnia, paranoia and convulsions have also been reported.