Today, we all need to redouble our efforts against this dangerous drug. New statistics suggest that trafficking of Ecstasy into this country continues to grow exponentially. End-of-year figures indicate that Customs seized roughly 9.3 million tablets of Ecstasy during Fiscal Year 2000. This represents a 164 percent increase over Customs seizure total in FY 1999 and a twelve-fold increase over the prior year.

Even more disturbing are statistics recently released by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These figures indicate that nationwide emergency room visits involving Ecstasy more than doubled from 1998 to 1999 (from 1,143 to 2,850). During the same time period, the number of Ecstasy users in the United States grew from an estimated 3.4 million to more than 5 million.

Clearly, Ecstasy has become one of the fastest growing drugs in America. The drug remains extremely popular among young people who frequent nightclubs and all-night dance parties known as "raves." But Ecstasy use is not limited to the urban club environment. It has spread to suburban and rural communities, penetrating schools, neighborhoods, and homes. Ecstasy has taken a disturbing hold in our popular culture.

For instance, special "club" shoes with secret compartments built into the soles are now being marketed to young people around the country. Decorated with colorful stars, flames, and other designs often associated with raves, these shoes appear to be designed specifically to conceal Ecstasy or other contraband. The manufacturer even calls this hidden compartment a secret stash spot. If your child owns a pair of these shoes, be aware of the fact that they contain such hidden compartments.

As a parent, you should also be aware of the latest studies on Ecstasy’s effects. In August, a respected medical journal published a study confirming that Ecstasy use can cause permanent depletion of serotonin in human brains. Serotonin is a chemical that helps control mood, memory, appetite, and other key functions. The researchers conducted an autopsy on a 26-year-old Canadian who used Ecstasy monthly for nearly a decade. His brain had 50-to-80 percent less serotonin than that of non-drug users.

As Ecstasy has grown in popularity, some dealers have begun peddling Ecstasy substitutes to young people that are even more harmful than Ecstasy. PMA, or paramethoxyamphetamine, is one of these substitute drugs. Sold in tablets that look like Ecstasy, PMA has stimulant effects similar to Ecstasy, but it is considered far more potent. In May, PMA was blamed for three deaths in the Chicago area. Last month, authorities in Florida said that PMA had killed at least six people since July. The Florida victims had body temperatures of 104-to-108 degrees at the time of death.

Please take a moment to educate yourself and your child about the dangers of Ecstasy and related drugs that are often sold as Ecstasy. Many kids believe these drugs are harmless and even legal. Unfortunately, many parents have learned the hard way that these drugs can be lethal.