THE TRUTH ABOUT ECSTASY

On Oct 21, the Tribune printed an Associated Press story regarding ecstasy
use among teens and the relative obliviousness of parents to it. This is
the most recent in a slew of stories in the local press demonizing ecstasy,
which never fail to characterize the drug as highly dangerous or mention it
alongside cocaine, crack, heroin, LSD, and methamphetamine.

Why the press insists on drawing these parallels baffles me, except that a
story attacking a popular drug like ecstasy might be good for readership.

According to the AP article by reporter Larry McShane, ecstasy "has been
linked to damage to the brain, heart, and kidneys."

Over the past three years, I've done considerable research on ecstasy (3,
4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA), and have never found anything of
substance to corroborate this.

McShane doesn't cite his references. I suspect these and other references
come directly or indirectly from the alcohol industry. You see, they're
infuriated by the popularity of ecstasy it's in direct competition with
their own mind-altering wares.

According to Drugs.com, a reference site that objectively describes both
prescription and illegal drugs, MDMA "is rarely consumed with alcohol, as
alcohol is believed to diminish its effects."

It's no wonder. Alcohol is a depressant, and tends to make people loud,
arrogant, and even violent. By contrast, ecstasy increases "feelings of
peacefulness, acceptance, and empathy." Who'd want to mix the two?

In its pure state, ecstasy is one of the most benign drugs available. No
wonder that it's hard to detect: inwardly, it does nothing more than cause
your brain to gush its own seratonin, which is the same thing that happens
when one is in love or excited.

Outward physiological effects resemble a heady caffeine rush, which will
also cause "chills or sweating, dehydration, confusion, faintness, severe
anxiety, grinding of teeth, and a trance-like state." Any caffeine addict
can corroborate this.

But these effects are usually overstated. Most people who've tried ecstasy
report a considerable feeling of clear-headedness and well-being.
Overdosing on it requires about 400 times the normal dosage.

I'm not sanctioning ecstasy use; far from it. But it we hope to be
effective parents and teachers, w need to be informed rather than
hysterical. Knowledge is power, and we need to know what the true dangers
are to our children.

If our kids insist on using drugs, I'd much rather them use ecstasy than
any other drug available to them, including alcohol. They're far less
likely to kill themselves or anybody else dancing enthusiastically at a
party or rave than driving home drunk.

And for once, I'd like to see a doctor quoted on the relative risks of
certain drugs rather than law enforcement and anti-drug groups.

Parents, you might want to visit Dancesafe.org and Drugs.com. Your kids
are. They're probably much more informed than you are. Nobody ever got a
balanced education just by reading the Associated Press.

Cameron Clark, San Luis Obispo