Emergency Room (ER) visits related to 'Ecstasy' use has more than doubled among people below 21 in the past few years, according to a report issued by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Easy access to the MDMA drug, also available as 'Mandy' or 'Molly' in powder or crystalline form, has made it immensely popular among teens and has led to a 128 percent increase in ER visits. ER visits rose from 4,460 in 2005 to 10,176 in 2011.
"These findings raise concerns about the increase in popularity of this potentially harmful drug, especially in young people. Ecstasy is a street drug that can include other substances that can render it even more potentially harmful," Peter Delany, MD, SAMSHA's director of the Center for Behavioral Health and Statistics and Quality said in a press release.
Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org, told HealthDay that this report should definitely alarm the society. The problem is bigger than what the report shows because it only concentrates on ER visits. "It's just the tip of the iceberg."
The researchers also found that alcohol was a contributing factor in one-third of the cases. When the drug is consumed along with alcohol, it induces feelings of immense happiness and excitement among teenagers which could influence them to drink more and result in alcohol abuse. Intoxication could eventually lead to poor decisions.
MDMA has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, and produces feelings of increased energy, decreased anxiety, better intimacy and euphoria. When the drug is mixed with alcohol, it can alter people's sense, their perception of time, and creates confusion, which can last for a week or longer. The drug can cause severe health risks including rapid heartbeat, overheating, increased blood pressure, dehydration, and kidney and heart failure.
The growing popularity of the drugs in clubs could dampen efforts by health organizations to reduce ecstasy usage in teens.
"We need to increase awareness about this drug's dangers and take other measures to prevent its use," Delany said.
