Ecstasy dangers in the news

A new Dangers of Drugs booklet issued by the Salvation Army has outlined the dangers of ecstasy.

The booklet claims one in five young adults had used ecstasy, up 33%.

Illicit drug use starts to increase around school leaving age and the average age is 22 for their first try of ecstasy.

Ecstasy has been linked with brain damage in users leading to depression, memory loss, psychological problems and an increased risk of developing a disease similar to Parkinsons disease.

(Source: Salvation Army media release 4 Nov 04)

The Victorian Government has ruled out a trial program of testing ecstasy tablets at venues to ensure they are pure.

(Source: Melbourne Herald Sun 10 Nov 04)

The Federal Government has also ruled out a program of testing ecstasy tablets or any other illicit drug.

(Source: Alcohol & Drugs Council of Australia media release 12 Nov 04)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

Overseas medical research outlining the medical and psychological harm of using ecstasy is published by our Council on our web site.

Ecstasy is illegal because of the known harm so Australia needs to REDUCE the proportion of young people using ecstasy to reduce the demand for ecstasy.

The present high and increasing demand for ecstasy is causing problems for federal agencies trying to stop the flood of ecstasy into Australia identified by the Australia Federal Police.

Australia must REDUCE the increasing proportion of young people that are using illicit drugs by implementing detoxification and rehabilitation programs for illicit drug users to get them drug free.