Public Health joined by local and national partners in Ecstasy education campaign

KING COUNTY, WA - This week, Public Health - Seattle & King County announced its joint educational efforts with local and national organizations to tackle the increasing problems of club drugs, particularly Ecstasy.

"Let me set the record straight. Club drugs and Ecstasy are not safe and are not harmless," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "As a community, we must get informed about the consequences of these drugs and then support our kids so they can make the best decisions."

Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties. Ecstasy can cause dramatic increases in body temperature and lead to muscle breakdown, as well as kidney and cardiovascular failure. Additionally, research has found that Ecstasy damages the brain and affects memory.

"Use of Ecstasy and other club drugs are on the rise locally and nationally, but through education and a genuine effort by the community and parents we can reverse this trend," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

The educational campaign is underway at several levels:

1. Public Health's Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Program will facilitate distribution of various television and print materials about Ecstasy from local, state and federal resources, including the Partnership for a Drug Free America and the Partnership for a Drug Free Washington. This week the Partnership for a Drug Free America launched a new campaign featuring real-life stories by teens. For more information, please call 1-866-XTC-FACTS or visit www.drugfreeamerica.org.
   
   
2. Approximately $500,000 has been allocated to 20 King County organizations this year for drug prevention activities, including youth development, tutoring and mentoring, parenting education and support, peer leadership, and community education. For more information, please visit Public Health's Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Program at www.kingcounty.gov/health/atodp.
   
   
   • Stonewall Recovery Services will conduct training and educational sessions on club and rave drugs for various social service and juvenile justice providers in King County.
   • Center for Human Services, which plans and implements the Partners in Prevention (PIP) Program, will teach youth leadership skills and support youth in leading prevention programs and activities, like drug-free dances as an alternative to raves.
   • Parents can attend education and support classes to help them deter their children from getting involved with drugs, including Ecstasy, at the following organizations:
     • Asian and Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center
     • Central Youth and Family Services
     • Friends of Youth
     • Girl Scouts - Totem Council
     • Kent Youth and Family Services
     • Korean Community Counseling Center
     • Northshore Youth and Family Services
     • Renton Area Youth and Family Services
     • Ruth Dykeman Youth and Family Services
     • Salvation Army - Hickman House
     • Vashon Youth & Family Services
     • Youth Eastside Services
       
       
3. Public Health's Youth Health Services Program has distributed youth-targeted fact sheets on club drugs and support information for health educators in the Seattle Public School district.

A rise in Ecstasy use

According to a national survey released this week by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, overall teen drug use is down and remains stable, but adolescent consumption of Ecstasy continues to rise. Since 1999, teen Ecstasy use has increased by 71 percent, and now more than 12 percent of teens in America say that they have tried Ecstasy.

A 2000 survey of King County youth found that nearly 9 percent of high school seniors had used "party drugs," including Ecstasy, GHB and LSD, in the last 30 days.

The only safe and healthy option is not to use these club drugs. Those who choose to take this dangerous path should make sure not to mix drugs. Also, drink water since many emergency room visits are due to mixing drugs and dehydration.

For information on substance use intervention and treatment, visit the Department of Community and Human Services at www.kingcounty.gov/operations/dchs. Or, contact the Alcohol/ Drug Helpline at 1-800-562-1240 or 206-722-3700. The Helpline also has a clearinghouse with free alcohol/drug materials, including brochures on Ecstasy.