ECSTASY

 
Names

• The chemical name for Ecstasy (E) is methylendioxymethylamphetamine or MDMA

Description

• Ecstasy comes in many different size, shape and colour tablets

Use

• The tablets are swallowed much like prescription tablets
• It is a Class A drug

Effects

• Users feel full of energy, emotional and over friendly, this is often followed by a feeling of calm
• Ecstasy heightens the awareness of the user to their surroundings and sounds
• As it starts to work it can make users feel sick and sweaty with a tightening of the jaw and an increase in heart rate, loss of appetite is common
• The effects are unpredictable because other drugs are often falsely sold as ecstasy
• The effects from ecstasy can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours

Risks

• Some people become panicky and frightened because of a dizzy feeling
• As the energy burst fades users will feel tired but be unable to sleep, lethargy and depression often lasts for days
• There is some evidence of liver, kidney and brain damage
• Taking ecstasy and dancing for a long periods in hot surroundings can cause the body to overheat and lead to death
• Drinking alcohol with Ecstasy can be fatal
• People have died from taking ecstasy for the first time
• Ecstasy is slow to take effect and some people have not realised this, so have taken more of the drug thinking that what they took was not working. This is very dangerous and some people have died in this way

Law

• Possessing ecstasy can hold up to a 7 year prison sentence and an unlimited fine
• Supplying ecstasy (including giving a tablet to a friend) carries a maximum life imprisonment sentence and an unlimited fine