NCJ Number
200741
Date Published
2002
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This videocassette discusses the prevalence and effects of ecstasy use through interviews with two experts and two former ecstasy addicts.
Abstract
Moderator Robert Denniston introduces the viewer to some basic facts about the drug ecstasy. Ecstasy is described as a stimulant that can produce hallucinogenic sensations. It is a Schedule I drug, which is an illegal substance with no medical purpose. Its use, especially among young people, is climbing sharply. A short presentation describes the short and long-term effects of ecstasy use, and Dr. Donald Vereen, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, discusses some relevant findings from the Monitoring the Future survey about the use of ecstasy among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders across the country. Mr. Denniston introduces two guest experts: Dr. Glen Hanson, of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Dr. Sandra Putnam, of the University of Tennessee. Each guest provides an overview of the ecstasy problem, with Dr. Hanson focusing on the health implications of ecstasy, while Dr. Putnam discusses the public health approach to the ecstasy problem. Next, two former ecstasy addicts are introduced and describe their experiences with ecstasy. The moderator, the guest experts, and the former addicts discuss how parents can identify drug abuse in their children and how they can help their children receive treatment. Additional resources are identified for parents who want to learn more about illicit drug abuse. The videocassette is accompanied by an informational pamphlet about ecstasy. The pamphlet focuses on describing the history of ecstasy, its prevalence, its health effects, and effective treatments for its addiction.