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Most Teens Don't See Trying Ecstasy as 'Great Risk'
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While teen use of Ecstasy has leveled off, most young people don't see any great risk involved in experimenting with the drug, according to a study released Tuesday by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, a non-profit group.

In the partnership's annual survey of over 7,000 12- to 18-year-olds across the country, 45% said they see great risk in using the drug once or twice, compared to 55% who saw no significant risk with occasional use.

"That's something we have to change," Steve Dnistrian, executive vice president of the partnership, told Reuters Health. "We're concerned about kids trying this drug even once."

The survey found that while the number of teens who used Ecstasy within the last year--about 9%--remained stable since 2001, experimenting with Ecstasy among youngsters was the same as-or greater than-use of other so-called "hard" drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamines, LSD and heroin. And teens who attend all-night dance parties called raves are seven times more likely to use Ecstasy, the survey found.

Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, first gained notoriety as the drug of choice at clubs and raves. However, the "love drug" or "X" as it is sometimes called, can be dangerous, causing spikes in body temperature. It has also been linked to heart attack, stroke and seizures in some users.

The study was released on the anniversary of the partnership's national educational campaign, using anti-drug ads to target teen Ecstasy use.

Today, about three out of four teens agree there are great risks in using Ecstasy regularly, such as addiction (77%) and memory problems (70%). The percentage of teens who see great risks to regular Ecstasy use has risen slightly, from 72% in 2001 to 76% in 2002.

Dnistrian said the fact that a significant number of teens have changed their outlook on the drug seems "encouraging." However, he warns there is still more work to do.

The next step the partnership plans to take is to focus on the risks of Ecstasy and empower parents to take action. A survey the group released last October found only 1% of American parents suspected their child had ever used Ecstasy, while 12% of teens report having tried the drug.

"It's not a drug they grew up with," said Dnistrian, noting that symptoms of Ecstasy use can be especially hard for parents to detect. However, "parents can have tremendous influence on teens' drug-taking decisions," he said.

The partnership plans to release a parent survey later this year.

Data for the teen survey was collected from April through June 2002 from questionnaires that students completed anonymously. The margin or error is plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.

posted by West 7:54 AM