NCJ Number
191763
Journal
Law Enforcement Quarterly Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2001 Pages: 5-10
Date Published
2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of the prevalence of the use of "Ecstasy" (MDMA- 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) among youth, its health consequences, its production and trafficking, and relevant California law.
Abstract
Ecstasy is a synthetic drug created in 1913 by the German drug manufacturer Merck. It was intended as a weight-loss drug, but because of its side effects, the drug never made it to market. Sometime in the late 1960's, MDMA was rediscovered and used by some psychiatrists and therapists to help patients be more open during sessions, based on the belief that the drug increased the user's sense of awareness and emotional closeness to others. By 1985, however, increased evidence of adverse health effects caused the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to move MDMA to Schedule I status, which means there is no accepted medical use for it in the United States. It was around this time that MDMA emerged as one of the party drugs at "raves" and all-night dance parties. Although Ecstasy use and abuse is not as prevalent as more mainstream drugs, its use has increased more than any other drug over the past 5 years. Ecstasy, along with the other so-called "club drugs," enhance the "rave" experience by increasing the users' touch sensations, heightening emotions, lowering inhibitions, triggering dream or trance-like states and mild hallucinations, and increasing energy levels. MDMA is illegal, however, because of its many adverse effects, ranging from mild (muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, rapid eye movements, and nausea) to serious and potentially life-threatening (feeling faint, sweating, overheating, dehydration, hypothermia, and heart or kidney failure). There are two main sources for the production of MDMA: domestically, in clandestine laboratories; and in Europe, made openly in drug laboratories. Most Ecstasy comes from Europe, with Russian syndicates having gained control over a significant portion of the market. In California, the simple possession of MDMA is prohibited. Other applicable codes pertain to possession for sales and sale or transportation.