PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS BELIE PROBLEM IN ECSTASY USE

NEW YORK (AP) - While Ecstasy increasingly becomes a favored drug among
teens, only one percent of U.S. parents believe their child has ever tried
the "club drug," according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America's
annual report.

The nonprofit group's survey of parents, being released today, also found
that while 92 percent of parents were aware of the drug, nearly half would
not recognize its effects on their children.

The problem with parental perceptions of drug use among their kids was
particularly significant, since children who learn about the risk of drugs
at home are less likely to experiment, said Stephen J. Pasierb, president
and CEO of the partnership.

The survey reported that only one in 100 parents believed their child might
be experimenting with Ecstasy. An earlier Partnership study showed 12 out
of every 100 teens reported trying the drug.