Ecstasy: A Dangerous X-scape
By: Rocio Villalobos
It’s
Friday night and you’re out dancing at a club or at a rave. Kids
in brightly colored clothing pass by you, laughing and waving glow sticks
as you walk with your friends. As you begin to dance to the fast beats
of the music, someone approaches you and motions you to move to the
side. In his hand is a pill that will cost you only $25 or $30. He promises
it will take you to a completely different level: a better alternative
to what you’re experiencing now. You think to yourself, ‘I
think I’ll try it out; it doesn’t seem all that harmful to
me. Besides, I could use a little boost of energy and happiness in my
life.’ Deciding that the pros outweigh the cons, you take the pill
from his hand and pop it in your mouth, unknowingly beginning the downward
spiral you will soon learn to call your life.
Although many people aren’t aware of this fact, the use of Ecstasy
is becoming more and more common amongst America’s youth. According
to a survey of 7,290 teens in grades 7-12 completed by the Partnership
for a Drug-Free America, the percentage of teens that admit to using
Ecstasy has doubled since 1995. A favorite amongst club and rave fanatics,
many who use the drug reported having feelings of increased euphoria,
excitement, and carelessness.
Unfortunately, they’re under the misconception that Ecstasy isn’t
as dangerous when compared to other drugs like cocaine and heroin. If
these same kids would bother to do a little research they would realize
this is in fact far from the truth. Using Ecstasy can lead to confusion,
depression, severe anxiety, paranoia, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred
vision, chills or sweating, heart/kidney failure, dehydration, increase
in heart rate and blood pressure, and long-term damage to those parts
of the brain critical to thought and memory, only to name a few.
What people such as myself fail to understand is what is the attraction
to this drug in the first place? It obviously can’t be the side
effects of having used the drug, unless the person is some sort of masochist.
After talking to many people I got several different responses: some
used it as a means of getting away from bad times they were going through,
while others tried it as a result of peer pressure or because it seemed
like a great time.
“What made me want to try it was that I was bored with all the
other drugs that were here in the area, but I didn’t want to try
coke or anything...so I decided to try X...and plus my friend Amber
had done it and she said it was a lot of fun, so I did it. And I know
it sounds retarded, but I had seen articles and stuff about what it
was like, and it just seemed like it would be a lot of fun.” As
Courtney from Vancouver, WA exemplified, many who want to try the drug
have a false impression of what the experience is like. They don’t
take into consideration that not only does it endanger your health,
it also makes you lose touch with reality, and as a result you may do
things you will regret later. At clubs/parties/raves there’s also
never a lack of people with cruel intentions that would jump at the
opportunity to take advantage of those who seem the most vulnerable.
As kids look to find a sort of escape from their problems, distributors
of Ecstasy make themselves increasingly available to potential customers.
“I was in line for the New Found Glory show in L.A. and there was
a guy asking for tickets, then he would get close to people and ask
them if they wanted to buy E. It’s scary that it’s that easy
to get the drug, especially since the show was over-run with 15 year
olds.” What Wendy from Orange County, CA saw is something we should
all be worried about; there are many times in which we are confronted
with the opportunity to buy drugs. It’s up to us to decide if it’s
worth it for a brief moment of what others describe as ‘euphoria.’
If you’re looking to drugs in order to deal with problems, there
are people who you can turn to for help. Taking drugs isn’t going
to erase everything negative going on in your life. And as for peer
pressure...we need to realize that the only ones we have to impress
is ourselves. You can’t let yourself be manipulated into something
you don’t want to do. You’re the only one in control of your
life...be thankful for that and use it to your advantage
If you’ve ever thought of using Ecstasy, or any other drug, please
inform yourselves before putting your well being at risk.
