HIGH RISE

Sniffer Dogs Swoop but Toxic Drug's Popularity Soaring

Ecstasy is the Border party-goer's drug of choice.

In just 20 minutes on Saturday night a sniffer dog allegedly found
three people with the drug, with others caught with amphetamine and
cannabis.

Police said they were disappointed but not surprised by the drug
busts.

The trio of ecstasy users were nabbed at a Mulwala
club.

At 9.40pm a Victorian man, 27, was arrested for allegedly being in
possession of a tablet believed to be ecstasy.

Just 10 minutes later a man, 18, was arrested for allegedly having an
ecstasy tablet in his possession.

Both will be prosecuted for possessing a prohibited
drug.

At 10pm a Melbourne woman, 21, was arrested for being in possession of
a small quantity of what was alleged to be amphetamine and ecstasy.

On Friday at 10.30pm, an Albury man, 24, was arrested at a licensed
premises in Dean Street for allegedly being in possession of a small
quantity of amphetamine.

Earlier that afternoon a teenager, stopped in a vehicle in Fallon
Street, was arrested after allegedly being found in possession of a
small quantity of cannabis.

The 17-year-old was charged with possessing a prohibited
drug.

Yesterday Albury duty officer Insp John Wadsworth said ecstasy was
increasingly the drug of choice.

"Unfortunately this is not a surprise," he said.

"Young people seem to think the drug is safe but it is anything but
safe.

"It is a toxic cocktail with little or no control over the
ingredients.

"If they could see how it is made they might think twice abut
it.

"Any chemical available is often poured into the mix to make up the
volume."

Insp Wadsworth said people were drawn to the drug because they only
saw the highs.

"But there is no doubt long-term use has a major effect on
users."

Ecstasy, known as "E", "XTC", "eccy" or "the love drug", usually comes
in tablet form, in various colours, sizes, shapes and designs.

But the Australian Drug information network said its ingredients were
often hard to obtain.

"Therefore, manufacturers may substitute a wide range of substances
when making the drug," it warns.

"Ecstasy is similar in structure and effect to amphetamine and in high
doses, hallucinogens.

"Amphetamine, such as speed, are stimulants that speed up activity in
the nervous system.

"Hallucinogens, such as LSD, typically affect perception and can cause
things to appear distorted or things that don't exist to be seen or
heard."