And at $15 to $25 a piece, the little pill is marketed by dealers as a more upscale, yet safe alternative to other drugs. Users say the drug enhances their senses and makes them more social. Sadly, however, officials are finding that more and more kids are overdosing from the drug.
To combat ecstasy trafficking, distribution and abuse, Sen. Chuck Grassley today along with Sens. Bob Graham, Craig Thomas and Joe Biden introduced The Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000 that cracks down on dealers and improves treatment options for ecstasy users. A complete bill summary is attached.
"Teenagers who use ecstasy are playing Russian roulette by ignoring its deadly side effects," Grassley said. "The drug gives them the rush and euphoric feeling they crave, but it also raises their heart rate to dangerous levels. In some cases, their heart just stops. Those who survive and use over the long-haul, can look forward to depression, paranoia or confusion. Scientists now believe that it causes irreversible brain damage. No one should ever call this a harmless drug."
According to Grassley, ecstasy use is growing across the country. The University of Michigan's Monitoring of the Future survey, an annual study that monitors illicit drug use among teenagers, found that lifetime use among 12th graders increased from one in 25 in 1998, to one in 15 in 1999. Ecstasy seizures by the US customs service are rapidly increasing. During the last fiscal year, Customs seized a total of 3 million doses. During the first eight months of this fiscal year, Customs already has seized 5.4 million doses.
The Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000 includes the following provisions:
?Increases Penalties for Ecstasy and GHB Traffickers
?Provides for Anti-Drug Messages on Federal Government Internet Websites
?Expands of Ecstasy Abuse Prevention Efforts
"Although much is being done to stop Ecstasy's flow into our country, we need to educate our young people," Grassley said. "We cannot let anymore teens overdose."