# Presentation: 106488

## Ecstasy and Herbal Ecstasy

***This Lesson Plan Produced By Your Drug Demand Reduction Program***

**Notes:**
Ecstasy (MDMA) is considered a club drug while herbal ecstasy is not.  Other CAP DDRP lessons address GHB, rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine, and LSD, which are also club drugs.  All club drugs are dangerous and should be avoided at all cost.  The use of any club drug could cost you your life.

## What is Ecstasy?

**What is Ecstasy?**

- Also called MDMA (3-4-methylenedioxymethampheta-mine)
- Synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties
- Classified as a stimulant

**Notes:**
Ecstasy or MDMA (3-4-methylenedioxymethampheta-mine) is a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties.  It is classified as a stimulant.

## What Does It Look Like?

- Ecstasy comes in a tablet form that is often branded, e.g., Playboy bunnies, Nike swoosh, SKY, etc.

**Notes:**
Ecstasy comes in a tablet form that is often branded, e.g., Playboy bunnies, Nike swoosh, SKY, etc.

## How It Appears

**How It Appears**

## What are some of the signs that a person is using ecstasy?

- Faintness
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Depressed feelings
- Loss of inhibitions
- Transfixion on sights and sounds
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Chills and/or sweating

**Notes:**
Faintness; Fatigue; Loss of appetite; Depressed feelings; Loss of inhibitions; Transfixion on sights and sounds; Nausea; Blurred vision; Chills and/or sweating.  Taken in pill form, users sometimes take ecstasy at "raves," clubs and other parties to keep on dancing and for mood enhancement.

## Some Short-term Effects

- Increase in heart rate and blood pressure
- Muscle tension
- Can result in liver, kidney and cardiovascular system failure
- Death

**Notes:**
Users report that ecstasy produces intensely pleasurable effects and an enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy.  Some short-term effects include:  Increases in heart rate and blood pressure; Muscle tension; Can result in liver, kidney and cardiovascular system failure; Death.

## Some Long-term Effects

**Some Long-term Effects**

- Can disrupt or interfere with memory
- Repeated use ultimately can damage cells that produce serotonin:
- Important role in regulation of mood, appetite, pain, learning and memory
- Not a safe drug for human consumption

**Notes:**
There already is research suggesting ecstasy use can disrupt or interfere with your memory.  Repeated use of ecstasy ultimately may damage your cells that produce serotonin, which plays an important role in the regulation of mood, appetite, pain, learning and memory.  This is not a safe drug for human consumption.

## What is the DEA Federal Classification Schedule for ecstasy?

-   Ecstasy is a DEA Federal Classification Schedule I drug, meaning it is in the group of most highly addictive drugs.

**Notes:**
Ecstasy is a DEA Federal Classification Schedule I drug, meaning it is in the group of most highly addictive drugs.

## What is Herbal Ecstasy? 

**What is Herbal Ecstasy?**** **

- Combination of herbs that are legal, inexpensive, and marketed as a “natural high”
- Can be purchased over the counter in drug stores, music stores, and shops

**Notes:**
Herbal ecstasy is a term used to describe a combination of herbs that are legal, inexpensive, and marketed as a “natural high.”  Herbal ecstasy can be purchased over the counter in drug stores, music stores, and other shops around the country.

## What Does It Look Like?

- Pills sold in colorful packaging
- Promises “increased energy, inner visions, sexual sensations, and cosmic consciousness”
- Some brand names used:
- Herbal Ecstasy
- Cloud 9
- Rave Energy
- Ultimate Xphoria

**Notes:**
Herbal ecstasy comes in pill form and sold in colorful packaging.  The packaging on these products, including brand names such as Herbal Ecstasy, Cloud 9, and Ultimate Xphoria, promises “increased energy, inner visions, sexual sensations, and cosmic consciousness.”

## How It Appears

**How It Appears**

## What are some of the signs that a person is using herbal ecstasy?

**What are some of the signs that a person is using herbal ecstasy?**

- Faintness
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of inhibitions
- Nausea

**Notes:**
Faintness; Fatigue; Loss of appetite; Loss of inhibitions; Nausea.

## Some Short-term Effects

**Some Short-term Effects**

- Ephedrine (key ingredient) stimulates the cardiovascular and central nervous system
- May cause harmful reactions in people with:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- People with vulnerabilities to ephedrine can:
- Suffer from heart attacks
- Strokes
- Seizures

**Notes:**
Ephedrine (the key ingredient) stimulates the cardiovascular and central nervous system.  It may cause harmful reactions in people with:

  High blood pressure
  Heart disease
  Diabetes
  Other conditions

People with vulnerabilities to ephedrine can:

  Suffer from heart attacks
  Strokes
  Seizures

## Some Long-term Effects

**Some Long-term Effects**

- Adverse reactions, including liver failure, elevated blood pressure, strokes and deaths
- FDA is deciding whether a safe level of ephedrine in food supplements exists, or whether sales of some ephedrine-based substances should be stopped altogether
- Many states have banned the sale following reports of deaths

**Notes:**
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports of adverse reactions from herbal ecstasy, including liver failure, elevated blood pressure, strokes, and deaths.  The FDA is currently deciding whether a safe level of ephedrine in food supplements exists, or whether sales of some ephedrine-based substances should be stopped altogether.  Meanwhile, many states have banned the sale of herbal ecstasy following the reports of deaths of users.

## What is the DEA Federal Classification Schedule for herbal ecstasy?

-  Herbal ecstasy is a DEA Federal Classification Schedule I drug, meaning it is in the group of most highly addictive drugs.

**Notes:**
Herbal Ecstasy is a DEA Federal Classification Schedule I drug, meaning it is in the group of most highly addictive drugs.

## Penalties For Possession

**Penalties For Possession**

- Penalties for possession of ecstasy and herbal ecstasy range from the following:
- Penalties for First Offense: 15 months to 5 years
- Penalties for Second Offense: 41 months to 10 years

**Notes:**
Penalties for possession of ecstasy and herbal ecstasy range from the following:

  Penalties for First Offense: 15 months to 5 years
  Penalties for Second Offense: 41 months to 10 years

## As a member of CAP, what should you do if you know someone who is using ecstasy or herbal ecstasy?

- Notify one of the following:
- Deputy Commander for Cadets / Cadet Programs Officer
- Chaplain / Moral Leadership Officer
- Unit Commander

**Notes:**
Since not all CAP units are staffed with the same duty positions, you should notify one of the following:  Deputy Commander for Cadets/Cadet Programs Officer; Chaplain/Moral Leadership Officer; Unit Commander.

## Why do people use ecstasy or herbal ecstasy?

- To feel good about themselves.
- To have a great time at “Raves.”
- To get high.
- To experience the feelings of euphoria.
- To reduce inhibitions.

**Notes:**
To feel good about themselves.  To have a great time at “Raves.”  To get high.  To experience the feelings of euphoria.  To reduce inhibitions.

## What are some of the ways you can say “No” to drugs without isolating yourself?

- Don’t respond.
- I’m not that crazy!
- Go AWAY!
- Leave me alone.
- Don’t put yourself in situations where you know drugs will be used or sold.

**Notes:**
Don’t respond.  I’m not that crazy!  Go AWAY!  Leave me alone.  Don’t put yourself in situations where you know drugs will be used or sold.

## Summary

**Summary**

- Ecstasy and herbal ecstasy are very serious business
- Things can happen that you do not remember
- May experience anything from energy to death
- Many states have banned the sale following reports of deaths
- DO NOT USE THESE DRUGS!

**Notes:**
As two popular drugs, ecstasy and herbal ecstasy are very serious business.  When using them, things can happen that you do not remember.  With these drugs, you may experience anything from energy to death.  In the case of herbal ecstasy, many states have banned the sale following the reports of deaths of users.  Are a few hours of “fun” worth all this?  Is losing your life worth it?  You can have fun and not be part of the “drug crowd.”  STOP!  THINK!  What will you be doing to yourself if you take drugs?  Is it worth your life?  DO NOT USE THESE DRUGS!

## Lesson Plan Resources

**Lesson Plan Resources**

*Ecstasy and Herbal Ecstasy *by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Available on _www.drugfree.org_
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
- Available on _www.dea.gov_

**Notes:**
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is available at www.dea.gov, and Ecstasy and Herbal Ecstasy (National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)) is available at www.drugfree.org.  These are only two of the numerous websites available to all interested parties that are facing a decision about life altering use of club drugs or to learn about the various types of drugs.

## Don’t march with these guys,say NO to drugs!

**DEAD MEN WALKING**

**Notes:**
Dead men walking.