The drug is mostly manufactured in secret labs in the Netherlands and Belgium, with worldwide distribution arranged by organized crime. Most people who use Ecstasy range in age from 14 to 25, with 18 being the most common age, he said. When ingested, Ecstasy is quickly absorbed into the user's bloodstream, Smith said. It goes to the brain and causes a massive release of a natural chemical called serotonin. The user will also experience increased heart rate, increased energy level and may hallucinate.
Users become depressed and suffer from memory loss.
Some chronic users become permanently depressed. Smith notes that Ecstasy has been popular since the late 1980s among young people overseas, particularly in Europe. Ecstasy abuse can be dangerous. There have been numerous reports of young people dying after Ecstasy use. Each 300 milligram Ecstasy tablet contains about 75 to 150 milligrams of the drug, often mixed with other chemicals, Smith said.