Ecxtasy use has been on the rise among young people in the area. Northampton Police Chief Russell Sienkiewicz said the drug hit the scene about four years ago, when raves became popular.
Raves are big parties held in remote areas where teens stay up all night dancing to techno music.
They are also known as easy places to score drugs. Since then, Sienkiewicz said he has seen a marked rise in teen-age use of the drug. Like heroin, ecstasy is increasingly affordable for teens. Ecstasy is also popular because it's billed as a harmless way to increase energy, reduce inhibition, and induce euphoria and mild hallucinations. Users say the drug makes them feel empathetic and caring, and decreases their fear, aggression and defensiveness.