ECSTASY-RELATED DEATHS CLIMB IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters Health) - As use of the popular street drug known as
Ecstasy has increased, so have deaths linked to its use, according to a
Florida researcher.

"In Miami-Dade County we saw an increased number of Ecstasy-related deaths
from 1997 to 2001," Dr. Maria J. Vega told Reuters Health. "We need to
discourage young people from using this drug. Many people think of this
drug as benign, but there are many dangers associated with its use."

Vega, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Miami,
presented her findings here at the 49th annual meeting of the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Ecstasy is also known as MDMA. Its key effects are euphoria, increased
energy and greater emotional sensitivity. Some of the heaviest users are
young people who use the drug at so-called raves, or all-night dances.

MDMA blocks the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain and simultaneously
causes the release of serotonin and dopamine.

Vega and her co-author, Dr. Jon A. Shaw, collaborated with the Miami-Dade
County medical examiner to quantify all Ecstasy-related deaths, and to
analyze the cause and manner of death.

From 1997 to 2001, 49 Ecstasy-related deaths occurred in the county.
Throughout that time period, the number of Ecstasy-related deaths rose
every year, from 2 in 1997 to 19 in 2001.

Forty of the deceased were males, and nine were females. They were 13 to 51
years old at the time of their deaths, with an average age of 28. Among
them 45% were white, 26% were Hispanic and 29% were African American.

The major cause of death was "acute polydrug toxicity," a toxic condition
caused by ingesting multiple drugs. Other causes of death included multiple
traumatic injuries and drowning. In some instances Ecstasy was thought to
have worsened an existing medical condition.

Three deaths were linked to a combination of hyperthermia, or overheating,
and kidney failure. "Ecstasy use at raves is associated with marathon
dancing and inadequate fluid intake. As a result, the core body temperature
can rise and cause organ damage."

Among the 49 deaths, 33 were accidental. Eight were homicides, three were
suicides and five died from natural causes.

"Often when we talk to our teenagers about drug use, we limit the
discussion to marijuana, cigarettes and alcohol," Vega told Reuters Health.
"We need to talk about Ecstasy. If you don't ask, they won't tell you. It's
marketed to teenagers, often through the distributors' Web sites."