Extreme cases of ecstasy-induced dehydration can lead to seizures or convulsions, doctors say. Nationwide, emergency-room visits linked to ecstasy use rocketed from 253 in 1994 to 2,850 in 1999, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network. There were nine ecstasy related deaths in 1999, up from one in 1994, the organization reported. Mark Howard, counselor at Phoenix House, believes the ecstasy craze is no different from any past drug phases. They take whatever drugs they can get their hands on, and today, it happens to be ecstasy, Howard said.
Kids do drugs.
That's what people don't see, Howard said, adding that many kids who go to rehab have used ecstasy but very rarely are they admitted for ecstasy use alone. But not all of the area's communities are heavily into ecstasy. It's a time designated for activities when vendors peddle cheap jewelry and posters, peer health educators pass out condoms and fraternities and sororities gather en masse. During a recent session, four black students, all men ranging in age from 19 to 24, were eating chicken and pasta when a student dropped a flier for a spring break ski trip on their lunch table. One of the guys nodded his head at the flier.