Drug Aware - Ecstasy

18/05/2012 7:14 AM said:

Thanks for your comment. Drug Aware’s mandate is to provide credible and factual information to the public. The research and findings presented by this campaign has been conducted by leading researchers in Perth, so is highly valid. One of the risks strongly associated with ecstasy use is the purity of the pill itself, when taking ecstasy it’s very hard to know what you’re taking. Ecstasy tablets are supposedly made up of the primary ingredient methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), however the reality is the substances which make up pills marketed as ecstasy can vary greatly. Ecstasy tablets are more likely to contain a range of substances including other illicit drugs such as methamphetamine (speed) or other harmful substances such as pesticides. It is also worth noting that even tablets that appear identical in colour, logo and shape, have been found to contain different ingredients, which means you really don’t know what you’re buying! ChemCentre, who analyse ecstasy pills that police have seized, have found that the purity of ecstasy varies significantly. In the 2009–10 financial year, the purity of ecstasy pills analysed by ChemCentre ranged from 0.74% to 84%, with the majority being on the lower end. More information can be found here (link to pill purity page). You are correct in suggesting that alcohol is responsible for a significant amount of harm in the community. This is a very important message that the community needs to hear. Alcohol conservatively costs WA $1.5 billion each year, so is still a priority that we address under our Alcohol. Think Again banner (visit alcoholthinkagain.com.au for more information). However, illicit drug use still costs the community $800 million a year, largely associated with crime and other social costs, so is still a very important issue. Thank you once again for your comments. Drug Aware

16/05/2012 11:45 AM said:
watch the BBC show our drug war. Mainly the part that says MDMA is safer than alcohol and tabacco

15/05/2012 11:53 PM said:

i have taken ecstasy many times, although not for a number of hers now, mainly because of my job. there is plenty of evidence to suggest that pure unadulterated MDMA when taken in the correct circumstances is actually very good for a persons spiritual well being and happiness. if the government and sites such as your own could accept this along with the fact that people are going to continue to try to get high and experience other things the world would be a far better place! i wonder if this post will be published or deemed as "not constructive"?

15/05/2012 2:41 PM said:
alcohol is worse

15/05/2012 2:02 PM said:
ecstasy used to be great 10 years ago. I miss those old harmless pills. Beats the crap out of over-priced meth and cheap high quality smack, which people usually die from. Bring back the harmless dancing pills man.

12/05/2012 6:05 PM said:
make it a friken health issue it shouldnt be ilegal there not doing anything wrong just to themselves keep on educating but people shouldnt be charged with possion of drugs

8/05/2012 12:37 PM said:
We appreciate and encourage your constructive comments and feedback. Please note we do check comments to ensure they are constructive in nature, and don’t contain offensive language or statements. Kind regards, Drug Aware Team.

7/05/2012 7:43 AM said:

In response to the comment below dated 22/04/12 2:00pm: ‘Did these users also drink alcohol?’ Although the study recruited cases on the basis of amphetamine related presentations, all those involved in the study had also been using ecstasy alongside a variety of other drugs such as cannabis, speed, alcohol etc. Due to this, it is difficult to ascribe causation to a specific drug as many were poly-drug users, using whatever they could access. However, all the cases in which a brain abnormality was detected, they had been using ecstasy. While the significance of this study is uncertain, there has been emerging evidence that drugs that have stimulant effects such as amphetamines and ecstasy have shown similar patterns of results to this study. There is evidence emerging to suggest that these types of drugs do cause problems for the brain, especially with memory, judgment, thinking and mood being affected. Further information on this study can be found here: http://www.drugaware.com.au/~/media/DrugAware/BRAIN%20full%20article.ashx

22/04/2012 2:00 PM said:
Did these users also drink alcohol?

6/05/2012 1:33 PM said:

There were several itsirenteng and productive experiments done with psychotherapy combined with hallucinogens in the 60 s. These drugs are used legally in Native American religious ceremonies today, and mind-altering techniques have been part of many religions. Without guidance of someone like a therapist or shaman, the hallucinations might be a positive or negative experience. From the experience of a friend who was involuntarily hospitalized at that time as an alcoholic and a lesbian, and cured of neither, many treatments did not go particularly well then.Just because a patient takes medication during the course of his recovery does not mean his recovery is not the right kind. I assume neither of us are physicians or pharmacists, and there is a big difference between using a therapeutic drug effectively, and using a drug to escape. There are times, though, when we must ask: Is this appropriate for my condition, doctor , because I know so many people who have been prescribed benzodiazepines or whatever.

6/05/2012 2:46 PM said:

Hang on a second here Doc, You need to raise a few questions of your own you took the hippocratic oath and now find yourself making sure the phar indus stays no. 1 corporation. yes ofcourse lets make this green plant with thousands of years of history across the face of the earth ILLEGAL that can cure 1000's of ailments impotence to depression...by the goverments soldiers and introduce chicken embryo host mercury laden IV solutions for the depop agenda running incredibly well. Hippocrates isnt impressed....and as for "drugs" read a bit of 18th century freemason info before the TV started speaking. have a go on DMT

23/02/2012 4:11 PM said:

Thank you for your comment and we appreciate the time you have taken to tell us about your experiences. In response we would say that the effects an individual may experience following drug use is influenced by a number of factors, including those unique to the person involved, the environment they are in, or find themselves in due to substance use, and the content of the substance. The risk involved with substance use is largely due to the simple fact that an individual usually doesn’t or can’t know what is in the substance. That’s why it’s important to be informed and carefully consider the wide range of risks associated with drug use. In regards to your experiences with cannabis, we believe our website and recent campaigns have provided some important information on the potential harms associated with cannabis use, in particular increased risk of depression and other mental health issues. For example a Global Commission Report on Cannabis found: A representative sample of Australians aged 13 to 17 years that had used cannabis were also three times more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for depression compared to non-users. More than one in three (36%) of adolescents who had used cannabis ten or more times by the age of 15 to 16 years, met diagnostic criteria for a mood disorder compared to one in ten (11%) of those who had never used cannabis. By the age of 30 years, individuals who had ever met diagnostic criteria for depression were 2.3 times more likely to report weekly cannabis use. There are also other risks associated with the effect of smoking cannabis due to the carcinogenic content, see here for more information please see the cannabis section of our website, in particular around the harms of cannabis use. For anyone requiring further information about a range of different drugs you will find this by clicking on the drug information page on the Drug Aware website. You will also find relevant facts and research for each drug you have discussed in your comments above if this is of any interest. http://www.drugaware.com.au/Drug%20Information.aspx Many people experience problems associated with their own drug use, or a friend or family member’s drug use. Drug Aware is keen to assist in providing anonymous and confidential access to a range of support services through our Live Chat, where you can chat anonymously and confidentially with a trained counselor about any alcohol or drug related issues. The Live Chat link is on the home page of the Drug Aware website http://www.drugaware.com.au/ Thanks again for your comments. Kind Regards, The Drug Aware Team

15/02/2012 12:27 PM said:

Hi there I am approaching my mid-twenties and have used drugs recreationally since i was about 16. I believe Anna Woods is the girl who died from ecstasy related heart failure, and that name has become somewhat synonomous with anti-amphetamine campaigning (See book called Anna's Story). I post because I believe I can provide a somewhat unbiased and accurate view on drug use in Australia, and a general insight on it's safety and effects on the body. Although I rarely (once a year if that) would use harder drugs these days. My partner is a pharmacist, and my sister is a clinical psychologist, my interest in the subjectas enabled me to learn some of the science of how our mind and body respond to drugs and I will now discuss what I beleive is safe/unsafe from the point of an individual case-study. A LITTLE ON DRUGS: ------LSD------ Firstly, I am a little uncomfortable to share, but I will speak openly under the pretenses that these comments are anonymous. About two years ago I had a large dose of highly psychoactive drug LSD. And regrettably, although you may not notice it in my written language, but my ability of speech has definately been negatively affected, and it has been two years and I still find I feel slow, and often slur words, or may just forget to say a particular word in a spoken sentence, my mind and motor control seem to no longer match each other, a stranger may not notice either, but I most definately do... so to less educated minds.. it fucked my brain.. and to those who are younger and havn't had the oppertunity to use it. I would suggest acid/lsd is a BAD one, and not to touch it. It is extremely potent in terms of how much drug is required to produce an effect, probably the most potent drug out there. ------ECSTASY ------- Oh ecstasy, I have had some good nights on that amphetamine back in the day, (all user's nodding in agreeement here). But let me stop you there, and emphasise back in the day. Alot has changed that has made this drug so unsafe on the streets nowadays, firstly ever since the police in all Australian States have clamped down on manufacturing rings and importations, and particularly the banning of over the counter sale of pseude ephidrine. It seems more an more duds are showing up, duds because they contain cheaper and more dangerous additives and the labs become more and more makeshift and the procedures used, more unsafe. The quality of the press, the purty of the orginal ingredients has all gone down hill. You are most likely to by dud ecstasy tablets on the streets, so ecstasy has kind of fizzled out of the Australian drug scene, the general view is there are no "good" ones around. as a result of this a HUGE spike in crystal methamphetamine use has occured. STUPID POLICE/Politicians (Sorry there guys but you really didnt think about the repurcussions of takin a comparably less addictive drug of the streets..) I have seen too many of my friends convert to meth use now just because of effect vs availability, many who I have lost to their meth addictions. So kiddos, be careful what you buy, dont let people say "oh man they are good" because, 99% wont do anything, dont waste ur cash. ------CRYSTAL METH------ Never used it regularly just once properly, a few times - shit stuff.. All I have to say very very addictive, incredible high, makes me angry/passionate. But so so so so so so addictive and only requires one sweet puff to get you hooked for life, and say goodbye to your life as prolonged use kills you. and by "You" I refer to your beautiful mind. so kids like LSD don't touch it. --------CANNIBIS------ Should be legalised in Australia, give it time and it will be too, after America completely do. Tobacco should be banned and replaced by legalisation of marijuana. I smoke reefer as often as I can, and would live my life on it if I had a reliable enough supply. The thing with weed is first time users will flip out, experience all the side effects of paranoia, munchies, hallucinations. But I often describe cannibis as a very maluable drug, in terms of prolonged users can adapt to how they want the drug to affect them. Personally I get a lot of stuff done when high, cleaning, day to day tasks etc. but then I dont own an x-box or a playstation! There is a school of thought that perhaps cannibis is the most addictive drug? I certainly love it.. But i have had depression since I was in primary school long before I touched any drugs, and cannibis has provided a means of identifying myself, and I feel I genuinly have over-come depression because of this drug. It's a tough one from the outsiders oppinion. But I would suggest to anyone to roll up a joint, it is a natural plant that produces such a euphoria with minimal negative side effects. the worst thing about weed is the stigma from authorities and older generations. But it is good, it doesnt alter your concious state enough to say that you are in a false reality, it merely intensifies the stimuli in your environment and blocks a portion of stresses that wears the body and immune system out. Again, maluable drug so it affects every body in a unique way. LEGALISE IT! ----TOBACCO------ Extremely addictive does nothing, the head spins of first time users is the best thing it does. But after that goes your body wants it, and wants it so badly that you will make stupid decisions to avoid stopping, eg, meet a gorgeous girl who is perfect in everyway except hates you smoking, yet u go and cheat on her and fuck the relationship up so you can smoke and not feel bad about. Extremely hard to quit, waste of money, does nothing kids.. again dont touch this one. Unfortunately that is most of my knowledge and experience. In summary: CANNIBIS is good and acceptable -->Good<---- ECSTASY is okay occasionally<-- but these days you WONT find it. So dont touch it ICE/Crystal METH: How strong is your mind, dont touch it unless u can not be around it again. LSD: NEVER EVER EVER.. even tho i stopped time and met nostradamis lol. But seriously biggest regret of my life. To the the Authorities, focus on elimnating the addictive drugs, leave weed alone and ecstasy is really NOT the issue simply because its a dead drug in the country now because of you, and all removing it from the streets has done is open up the window to young minds to use other drugs, of which is mainly ICE, which means more crime because thats wat it does..and more fucked up Australians and kids. Every word here is true and accurate, study it doctors take notes. Scan my brain I know there will be a few bright sections. But if there is one thing I know that is the power of the mind is so much more incredible than most people realise, and I am slowly repairing nodes and pathways in my mind to restore my brain abck to what it was pre- acid tripping... Enjoy Andrew

17/02/2012 8:56 AM said:

more people die from peanuts than from smoking weed. infact in the US recordable deaths list for the past decade not a single death has been linked to the use of marijuana. so while i 100% agree that amphetamines and chemically based drugs are bad for you, i dont agree that these drugs should be put in the same basket as weed. smoking ciggarettes is legal so that makes it okay? even though 18000 people + die each year in australia from smoking related illnesses.. and yet another 0 from marijuana. in my own opinion, people become paranoid while using this drug because of the simple fact that it is illegal and what they are doing is deemed wrong in society. if it were legal and people had no issues with it, would people still become paranoid?

8/02/2012 10:37 PM said:
for the people who use drugs dosent even no whats its doing to your life. for example memory loss, heavily brain damage, its like weed it may feel good but you dont no whats its doing to you. hay if i ever do drugs i will regret it for the rest of my life.

31/01/2012 10:26 PM said:

This first video is very brief in what they are classing as "ecstasy", he highlights a single case where a girl has a seizure after taking some, but there's no mention of the contents of the pill? It's fairly common knowledge that taking unknown random chemicals can have bad side effects. It seems that research discussed in the video is: http://www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=288&PortalId=0&TabId=211 From the research: "this small screening MRI brain study of young people attending the emergency department with an amphetamine related presentation". The majority are not MDMA related, and are not normal recreational users. So what we have is some confirmed brain damage to serious drug abusers, and brain damage to a single recreational user caused by an unknown substance. In my opinion harm minimisation would be to provide anonymous pill testing, it has to be easily available and people have to feel confident that they won't get in trouble, other they'll just keep popping whatever random substance that's sold to them.

29/01/2012 7:43 AM said:
this makes me really sad. Young people won't listen. I didn't. & now, I really wish I had of. If I could go back in time I wish I had never touched a drug.

27/01/2012 10:52 AM said:
There's going to be a lot more Dementia people in there early years. Why young people have to take drugs is beyond me - what a waste of a young life.

23/01/2012 10:30 PM said:
i want to tell everyone that this drug may seeem fun, but you can have more fun with laughter

15/12/2011 3:06 AM said:
Way to go on this essay, hleepd a ton.

16/12/2011 9:45 AM said:
Ah yes, nicely put, eveornye.

9/02/2012 12:49 PM said:
"or the people who use drugs dosent even no whats its doing to your life. for example memory loss, heavily brain damage, its like weed it may feel good but you dont no whats its doing to you. hay if i ever do drugs i will regret it for the rest of my life." I do drugs so that I don't end up like this guy.

9/02/2012 1:29 PM said:
Hence why MDMA should be legal so the other chemicals in an 'ecstasy pill' aren't causing damge to the brain.

31/10/2011 12:56 PM said:
nah stay off drugs

26/04/2011 6:58 AM said:
Its the amphetamines not the mdma, mdma has no long term effects. but i tell u what in australia u are not gona to find a pill with more than like 20 percent mdma no matter what people tell you

2/11/2011 9:35 PM said:
might I suggest a share link for facebook, rather than a like page link. I am sure it would work better for you. :)

3/05/2011 8:44 AM said:
Agreed, should be on TV during family time so the discussion can be had with family. Should also be taught in science at high school - but not lectured as normal class as the kids may not pay enough attention. well done

24/02/2011 8:31 AM said:
Are there effects coming from the Amphetamines of the MDMA? Or both combined?

7/04/2011 12:03 PM said:

Where I do not wish to encourage any person, young or older, to become involved in any kind of drug taking (and let's not ingnore cigarettes and alcohol in this), I cannot help but acknowledge cj's comments (26/01)regarding safe drug use amongst mature adult users. I am a professional female in my mid-thirties and have used ecstacy for many years in the same way most of society uses alcohol. Alcohol is not my drug of choice and I would not take ecstacy everyday like some take a drink. I would prefer to use ecstacy at home with a great bunch of friends just like most of society hold parties with friends at home from time to time. Unlike many of those parties however, mine never end in arguments or alcohol fuelled fights and nobody drives drunk (or drugged.) There are many of us out there doing absolutely no harm to anybody (but ourselves perhaps, thanks for the video info), I am making an informed choice and I am not an addict, unlike the millions of legal nicotine addicts and hundreds of thousands of alcoholics. As cj has already stated, there has been a SERIOUS decline in the quality of ecstacy in the past couple of years to a point where it should no longer be given the product name 'ecstacy'. Unfortunately, as we are often forced to purchase from undesirable sources, we are being sold dangerous pills leaving even the most experienced and tolerant user very sick. "FANTASTIC!" come the calls of authorities and parents throughout WA, "We have won the ecstacy battle, our kids are safe from harm". What we have done by dirtying and phasing out this once clean drug of fun and love is turn our young kids to the highly addictive, stupidly expensive chrystal meth. Can somebody give me the statistics on how much 'crack' use in our society has grown since the demise of quality ecstacy pills in Perth? Then give me the crime stats to go with it? An increase in burglaries, robberies? I am no expert but I am certainly curious to know if there is a noticeable increase in meth use and crime rate in light of this drop in quality ecstacy. There is no denying that all drugs are harmful, dangerous and addictive when misused, I'm not trying to condone drug use nor am I trying to belittle the issue by comparing heroin to MacDonalds, but junk food is harmful, dangerous and addictive when misused, so too aerosols, coffee, chocolate, but we do not take these products off the market or offer a similar product but with content so ghastly it makes us sick enough to discontinue use only to offer up a far more harmful, dangerous and adictive product in its place. Even the 'legal highs' offered as an alternative to illegal ecstasy has recently proven to be not as safe to use. Like generations before us, the human race will seek out mind altering or mood enhancing drugs for whatever their reasons and they will always be available. It's crazy to think at the moment here in Perth we are encouraging these seekers to take up the soul destroying effects of chrystal meth that is so addictive it will eat into their pockets as quickly as it will into life as they know it regardless of how well the user thinks they are managing it, rather than MDMA, a drug, when managed and used responsibly (rarely used habitually on a daily basis) offers the user an often peacful place of 'happy'. I will repeat though to our young users THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE BUYING AT THE MOMENT and until 'ecstacy' makes a come back in it's most beautiful form I would not purchase pills even if they are an eighth of the price of the smallest amount of 'crack' you'll be offered instead.

17/02/2011 8:49 PM said:

really? jesus. the reason why drugs are illegal is because they are potent. sure, the government could release a legal version of ecstacy, coke,herion whatever, but it would be diluted compared to the doses found today. people would still go out for the more dangerous, potent version. sure it might help for those who want to experiment safely, but a "safe" dose of one of these drugs would be tiny, because these substances are so harming to the body. it wouldnt deliver a bit hit, and many people would still turn to the blackmarket in search of something more powerful, leading to overdose ect, and yet the cirlce starts again

17/02/2011 12:57 AM said:

To the last person that commented - your point about not reviving someone because they chose to take something is, as descriptive as I can say it, f#%@#*& retarded. Would you not revive someone who had too much to drink, passed out and hit their head on the ground? Yes you would, as it's common sense to help someone that needs it. The person affected by alcohol that needs reviving is the same as someone on any other drug (that's right, we may not like to think it but alcohol IS a drug - one that's much more damaging than some illegal ones, but that's another point all together..), they took their drug of choice irresponsibly. Is that worth letting them die? I don't think so, as a human being with a moral conscience I think that's a pretty horrible thing to suggest - you should think before saying such terrible things. Just like alcohol, people CAN and DO take illegal drugs responsibly. Sure there are many many stories about people who have died from drugs who weren't really big users - and it is tragic. But for every bad story (if you asked around) you'd find dozens more good stories about people connecting, sharing and having a f#!$&!$ good time - all the while leading ordinary lives with normal jobs; because drugs are things that don't often control peoples lives, they're just used to have great, occasional fun. The reason there are groups (and i'm someone who agrees) that want drugs legalised isn't because they want to corrupt society and get more people addicted - it's so those who choose to do it can do so safely. If drugs ever did become legal, that doesn't mean it has to effect you - nobody is going to force a joint to your lips and say smoke this - there's no social pressure to smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol so there'd be no reason it'd change. Drug dealers would almost certainly be eliminated, have you ever heard of someone illegally selling their own alcohol? I know I haven't, because 1. People don't want to deal with a s^&@!$%*, inferior product and 2. People don't like having to buy their drug of choose illegally. The idea of prohibition is nice, but just think of the prohibition of alcohol in the 20s. Everything went to s%@&. Criminals ran the business, and it wasn't good for anybody. The same thing is happening now with drugs, yet as a society we think that it's going to somehow work At the end of the day, it's essentially an argument of should we help alleviate the problem of drug use by giving people unbias opinion and a safe, controlled supply of the drugs, or should we tell people not to do it and let the criminals run the show - all the while treating the end users as criminals themselves when they're just honest people looking for a good time. I know which side i'm on, it's time other people think for themselves too

11/02/2011 10:25 AM said:
This information is really interesting, thanks for trying to educate us with real information. Think it is important to be given then facts rather than propaganda.

2/02/2011 12:55 AM said:
Anyone sells my son drugs like this s#*! wether you percieve it to be good or bad will know what harm MAXIMISATION is.Bring on the death sentence for dealers of misery. CJ French have you ever tried PURE LIFE?

31/01/2011 1:27 PM said:

Interesting story, but even if MDMA were legal people would come to harm. Quite probably taking a lot more than they currently do, so harm by volume..., can you imagine what the equivalent to the alcohol companies would do with the maketing of it. They also don't know a lot about what this can do in the long term, well perhaps they are starting to. I know a lot of people who have experienced problems from MDMA in the early days. So you can get too much of a good thing. And regarding prohibition, well the verdict is out on whether that works or doesn't work.....who hasn't experienced harm from some drunken idiot at some stage. By the way I do enjoy a drink, but I just don't think the answer is that simple. If it were it would have been done ages ago. Complex problem complex solution.

27/01/2011 5:49 PM said:
If you want to solve the bikie/organised crime problem decriminalise drugs.Prohibition didn't work in the 20's and it doesn't work today.

26/01/2011 8:55 PM said:
tax it n get pma ect off the streets

26/01/2011 2:56 PM said:

I watched your report with some interest as Iam a 41 year old male whom has been using a mixture of drugs for over the past 20 years.I have had a bad addiction to amphetamines for a prolonged period of over 2 years and managed to stop (with great struggle) i also was addicted to heroin twice first time for a period of 2 years and second time for another 2 years, i managed to come off both times using methodone and currently iam still taking subutex. In this time when I was about 20 years old i was lucky enough to have access to MDMA that was brought into WA from America my dealer was the first person in WA to be arrested with MDMA before it was even reconised by the police,there was no law against it,Now why i have given you this breif explination of my past is to just let you no that Good quality MDMA is a fantastic drug I can honestly say that I enjoy taking it and compered to other drugs its side effects and damaging feelings to my body are very minamal,But in the last 2 years i have seen such a flood of so called ecstacy on the market that is just so so bad in fact there is no mdma in these ecstacy tablets,I feel it is this crap that is giving this love drug such a bad name,If the so called powers that be really gave to shits about people they would be consintrating on harm reduction and harm managemnet,prescribed drugs to registed drug addicts,why is this so hard to see that this is the answer to many of the social issues that bug society, personelly I feel that if I a 41 year old man wonts to take ecstacy,opiates or what ever it should be MY decision not the governments,I would gladly register myself and get prescribed 100% un cut drugs from a chemist that would cause me little to no problems at all(other than addiction that is)there for stamping out drug dealers poor quality ingreidents,crime ect, ect. The bottom line here is Yes ecstacy can be harmful to some people but crack,meth, speed,smack is a hell of a lot more harmful.. Oh yes just curious Have you ever tried pure MDMA?? and if not then how can really comment at all?? Please feel free to coment back to me on the above comments,my email addy is cjfrench69@hotmail.com

24/01/2011 5:24 PM said:
think for yourself, question authority

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Ecstasy and the brain - Ecstasy can affect your brain long after the night you take it. Professor Daniel Fatovich talks about his world-first research that has just come out of Royal Perth Hospital.

Effects of Ecstasy - If you don’t know what’s in a pill, how can you know what it’ll do to you? Here’s someone who knows just what can happen – Professor Steve Allsop, Director of the National Drug Research Institute.

Ecstasy emergencies - The emergency department at Royal Perth Hospital sees an average of three to four stimulant drug users every day – Associate Professor Frank Daly, Head of Emergency, explains what he’s seen.

Ecstasy Purity - Do you know what’s really in the pills in WA? Luckily, Dr Dominic Reynolds, Manager, Illicit Drugs Division of the ChemCentre, does.

You’ve probably heard a lot of things about Ecstasy. Some good, some bad, some outrageous. Well, we’re here to set the record straight. Watch videos featuring the Ecstasy experts, read up on the facts, or chat live and confidentially with a qualified drug counsellor and ask some questions of your own.

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If you require immediate help, call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on (08) 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 toll-free for country callers.

What are other names used for ecstasy?
E, eccies, pills, bickies, love drug, disco biscuit, XTC, vitamins, MDMA

How soon after taking ecstasy can you expect to feel its effects?
When ecstasy is swallowed, the effects become apparent within approximately 30 to 90 minutes and can last up to 6 to 8 hours.

How long do the effects of ecstasy usually last?
When ecstasy is swallowed, the effects become apparent within approximately 30 to 90 minutes and can last up to 6 to 8 hours.

How does ecstasy affects the ability to regulate body temperature?
Ecstasy affects the production of serotonin, a mechanism that regulates the body’s temperature. It appears to cause a loss of control of normal body temperature.

Why is it important to carefully monitor water consumption when using ecstasy?

To avoid drinking too much water, how much water is recommended for someone to drink if they are using ecstasy?
Some recommendations suggest that users should drink no more then 600mL of water each hour 250mL of water each hour if inactive 500mL of water each hour if active

I heard you have to drink water when you’re on pills, but isn't there a danger of drinking too much also though? How do I know what's safe?

Can you build up tolerance to ecstasy?
Yes. Regular use of ecstasy can build up a person’s tolerance to the drug. This means that a person will need more of the drug in order to achieve the same effects they felt previously with smaller amounts.

Does ecstasy improve sexual performance?
There is no evidence that suggests MDMA improves sexual performance. However it has been documented that ecstasy inhibits sexual performance by decreasing the ability to reach orgasm or maintain an erection (Degenhardt, L et al, 2005).

Is it difficult to know how pure an ecstasy pill is?
Ecstasy pills are often made with no control over their manufacture, making it very difficult to know exactly what’s in them without taking them in to get analysed. Ecstasy is often mixed with a variety of different drugs including MDEA, PMA, MDA, ephedrine, LSD and other harmful ingredients such as insecticides, ketamine (horse tranquillisers) and cough suppressants.

How much MDMA is in ecstasy?

I have heard that even though some ecstasy will look the same as others, they are actually different. Is this true?
In some cases yes. ChemCentre, who analyse ecstasy pills that Police have seized, have found that some pills that appeared to be visually identical (same colour, logo and shape) were found to contain different substances of cheaper quality and varying toxicity.

I have heard that some ecstasy pills have no MDMA in it?

Where does ecstasy come from?
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was first synthesized by Merck Pharmaceuticals in 1912. It was originally developed as an appetite suppressant, although it was never actually used for this purpose. In 1970, MDMA was used in American therapy classes to enhance communication. Ecstasy became available in Australia in the mid-1980’s, and became and illegal drug in 1987.

I know ecstasy is swallowed, but can you take ecstasy another way?

Can you get a hangover after using ecstasy?
The hangover or after effects of ecstasy can last for up to 24 hours, sometimes longer depending on the toxicity of the drug. Research suggests that weekend use of ecstasy may lead to a depressed mood mid-week.

When my friends go out they take ecstasy so that they can drink more. Is this true?
The stimulant properties of ecstasy mask the depressant properties of alcohol making it difficult to judge how much alcohol has been consumed., but the brain is still impaired, as is motor function, making it dangerous to drive. Using ecstasy with alcohol also dehydrates the body further, which can increase the problems associated with dehydration

Some of my friends use Cannabis and Ecstasy. Is this ok?
Ecstasy has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, so when combined with cannabis, which also has hallucinogenic properties, an individual can experience exaggerated visual distortions and impaired reaction times, along with an increased risk of other harms including the risk of anxiety, paranoia and psychosis.

Can you overdose on ecstasy?

If someone is pregnant, can they still take ecstasy occasionally?

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