What Every Parent Should Know About Ecstasy

This designer drug is very popular among young adults, but the consequences can be disastrous

Has your adolescent son or daughter tried today’s hot “designer” drug, ecstasy? Don’t assume the answer is no. While only 1 percent of parents believe their child has used ecstasy, a recent survey by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America shows the actual teen usage rate is 9 percent.

While that’s slightly lower than last year, it’s still an epidemic, says psychiatrist Laurence Karper, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “The young people surveyed acknowledge that ecstasy is dangerous,” he says, “but they’re using it anyhow.”

Ecstasy became popular at “raves” (all-night dance parties), mainly among high school and college students. It’s a feel-good drug—at first. But after a few hours, serotonin levels in the brain drop sharply, often causing depression. “Long term, ecstasy also can cause memory impairment, hostility and mood swings,” Karper says. “And ecstasy users are more likely to use other drugs and alcohol, and to practice unsafe sex.”

In some cases, the consequences of ecstasy can be disastrous. The raised body temperature (hyperthermia) associated with using the drug can lead to seizure, coma, kidney or liver failure, even death.

Web sites on ecstasy (of which there are hundreds) often make light of these risks. Don’t believe it, Karper says: “There is no evidence that this drug is safe, and in fact, the evidence shows that it is quite unsafe.”

What can you, as a parent, do? Karper suggests:

• Be available to your children, to talk and listen.
• Be a good role model. You can’t persuade your child of the dangers of drugs if you’re a heavy alcohol or tobacco user yourself.
• Watch for general signs of trouble, including a deterioration in homework, negative attitude, isolation from the family, and/or a change of friends.
• Watch for specific symptoms that your child may be using ecstasy.

And if your son or daughter protests that “everyone’s doing it” and “once or twice can’t hurt”? Karper would answer: “Besides the risk for depression, memory damage and other problems, there are people who use ecstasy just once and die. Why on earth would you want to take a chance like that?”

Visit the Partnership for a Drug-Free America for more information on how to start a conversation with your kids about the dangers of drugs.

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