Sandra Kanck

The Advertiser: Party fury puts Kanck on brink :

"On Wednesday, Ms Kanck announced plans to retire at the 2010 election and then, later that night in parliament, said there was no evidence that ecstasy was a dangerous drug."

I take her point that our information always needs to be current and up to date. That bit is not disputable. However, we have had well over a hundred unnecessary deaths because of Ecstasy and medical people and our laws have been at cross purposes trying to get drug testing and practical information to people who insist on taking the stuff. Were it not a problem there wouldn't be this utter desire of people to supply drug testing at venues where people are likely to take it. They wouldn't put themselves in the line of fire as they do. They do it because they think young people are worth saving.

You don't actually have to do research for very long to get information about Ecstasy. I did this in 5 minutes:

"Brain imaging research in humans indicates that Ecstasy causes injury to the brain, affecting neurons that use the chemical serotonin to communicate with other neurons. The serotonin system plays a direct role in regulating mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. Many of the side effects users face with Ecstasy use are similar to those found with the use of cocaine and amphetamines: Psychological Ecstasy side effects, including confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia - during and sometimes weeks after taking Ecstasy. Physical Ecstasy side effects such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating. Increases in heart rate and blood pressure, a special risk for people with circulatory or heart disease.

Short-term side effects of ecstasy
· Nausea
· Hallucinations
· Chills & sweating
· Increased body temp
· Tremors
· Muscle cramping
· Blurred vision"

Ecstasy Side Effects

"Research links MDMA use to long-term damage to those parts of the brain that are critical for pleasure, thought and memory.
· Ecstasy has KILLED users as a result of heatstroke (from dancing for hours in a hot club) or mixing with alcohol and other drugs.
· Using Ecstasy can cause one to lose their self-control putting them at risk for becoming a victim of date rape, pregnant, or acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
· In the Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey, results show that the use of MDMA increased among all grade levels measured in the study- 8th, 10th, and 12th.
· According to the MTF Survey from 1999- 2000 the MDMA use among 12th graders went from 5.6% to 8.2%.
· According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) an estimated 1.5% (3.4 million) Americans had used MDMA at least once during their lifetime.
· The heaviest use (5% or 1.4 million people) was for those between the ages of 18 and 25 years old."

ATOD Prevention Center

And if you are still not able to comprehend the effects of Ecstasy, then consult the slide show at:


This is your brain on Ecstasy