ECSTASY THE DRUG OF CHOICE FOR TEENS: COUNSELOR

This is the second in a series of stories exploring the Peterborough
presence, and use, of the mind-altering drug Ecstasy, related through the
experiences of users and abusers, drug counselors and police.

In small high school offices throughout the Kawarthas, Kelley
MacPherson-Mazda has seen and heard it all.

As the addictions counselor with 4Cast in Peterborough, she deals daily
with local teens trying to overcome drug and substance abuse. While she
says a client has yet to admit to an Ecstasy problem, that, she stresses,
doesn't mean there aren't serious concerns with the mind-altering drug.

She refers to Ecstasy as a "treat" for teens who save up the cash to
purchase the tiny pills that pack enough wallop to kill.

"I hear about Ecstasy a lot...there's a lot of use," says Ms
MacPherson-Mazda, sitting in a cozy welcoming room at the 4Cast office on
Hunter Street West.

"Some are saying they are going to a rave in Toronto. Because it (Ecstasy)
is so expensive, they save their money and look forward to the rave and
plan for it."

At a cost of anywhere between $20 to $25 per pill, teens go behind parents'
backs to save up the cash for the night-time high Ecstasy provides.

From what she's heard, teens enjoy the drug because of its stimulating
factors and hallucinogenic capabilities. The energy boost it provides keeps
youths dancing for hours with a large group that's experiencing the same
euphoric effect.

"Coming down is really hard for Ecstasy users," she notes.

"There's no sleeping and some are complaining about back pain. It takes
about a week to fully recover from a trip."

Donna Rogers, executive director of 4Cast, says because Ecstasy is fairly
new on the club scene, its long-term side-effects have not yet been fully
determined. That said, she's heard of many kids who have died after using
Ecstasy.

"This is bigger than just a health risk," adds Ms Rogers.

Obviously, that's huge but the circumstances to its use are problematic.
They (users) assure no one knows where they are. In terms of...parents
locating them, the risk factor is huge."

For two years, Ms MacPherson-Mazda has been in area high schools, including
St. Peter's, Lakefield, Crestwood and Holy Cross, trying to help kids
understand the risks Ecstasy and other illegal drugs present.

She has a likeable personality that teens can relate to but her technique
to persuade kids from using drugs is what prompts many youths to knock on
her door.

In a non-threatening, non-preaching manner, Ms MacPherson-Mazda listens
intently and then develops individual strategies with teens to overcome
their addiction.

"I find out what they want to do; I don't live in their skin," she explains.

"They have a goal in mind and I help them achieve it. The first
recommendation is abstinence from all substances."

During one session, a male teen was referred to Ms MacPherson-Mazda by a
guidance teacher. The student promptly told her he wasn't interested in her
help.

"So I said, "How about we touch base in a month?" and he was open to that,"
she recalls.

"A month later, he was ready. Things had tumbled in his life but he's still
a client today."

Ms Rogers attributes such turn-arounds to 4Cast's open-door policy with teens.

"We have no ability to restrain these kids or make them change. Our goal is
to motivate the kids to make those changes. It's more about timing."

Just ask Gord, 38, about timing. Gord tried almost every drug but Ecstasy.
He was addicted to drugs and alcohol by age 13.

So what motivated him to turn his life around?

During his "insane" drug use period, Gord tried to commit suicide, had
trouble keeping relationships and lost out on many opportunities.

"I was an athlete and had an opportunity to play competitive baseball in
Canada but felt it got in the way of drugs," says Gord.

He started using "hard drugs" in high school but never admitted to having
an abuse problem despite committing break and enters, driving intoxicated
in downtown Toronto, and attempting to take his own life and that of a friend.

With a deep breath and a long, uncomfortable pause, Gord talked about that
night.

"I was driving towards a T in the road and didn't slow down. I kept driving.

"I wanted to end the pain. He (his friend) started screaming at me. Today,
I look at it like divine intervention. I've come to believe in a power
greater than myself."

Similar intervention happened years later -- the day Gord stopped taking
drugs. He's now been clean for five years.

"My cat died. I had no reason to go home and feed my cat.

"Usually what it takes (to quit) is hitting bottom. There's no rock bottom.
It's an endless pit...you have an opportunity to go lower."

With his conscience sitting heavy on his soul, Gord booked himself into a
rehab clinic in Guelph and met a young man who was addicted to Ecstasy.
There, he learned techniques to resist temptation and felt comfortable
until it was time to leave.

"I was scared sh--less...when I came out of treatment. I was scared (about
re-using) I went straight to Narcotics Anonymous (NA)."

He finds talking about his problem helps him to overcome guilt and
temptation to use. After five years, he says he still needs the support NA
offers.

"We all have day-to-day trials. I know I can be tempted but, as time
progresses, the compulsion to use drugs subsides. But the monkey is still
on my back."

Since he's stopped using, Gord has married, bought a home, has two girls
and has been promoted twice at work. He says getting clean "gives you a
chance."

Be it through NA or the services provided at 4Cast, there is help out there
for those addicted to Ecstasy or other drugs. All it takes is a phone call.

For help at 4Cast, call 876-1292 or 1-800-461-1909. To find out about local
NA meetings in Peterborough, call 740-6125. All information is kept
confidential.

Next Wednesday, a look at the struggles local police officers face when
dealing with Ecstasy in the community. As well, a review of where and how
Ecstasy is produced, and the drug's prominence on the international black
market.