Welcome

Hello~ I'm Agent Extc (:

Why Do People Abuse Drugs?.

Generally, there are many but common reasons that causes people to want to take drugs. This could be due to peer pressure, if their friends are taking drugs they may feel pressured to do the same so they won't be an outsider. If someone is bored they might even take drugs to fill their time. If they are depressed and they turn to drugs they would take stimulants, like ecstasy, to feel high. Or maybe the other way around, they might take depressants to relax. Some, especially teenagers, just like to do something that is very risky for fun. But there is no reason that is good enough to abuse drugs.
Addiction.
An addiction is when you crave for something even when there are negative consequences. The amount of time to get addicted varies for everybody, it depends on the person's genetics, their biology, and environment among other things.
The Seven Categories of Drugs.
* Depressants
* Inhalants
* PCP (Phencyclidines)
* Cannabis
* Stimulants
* Hallucinogens
* Narcotic Analgesics

MDMA. Ecstasy.

MDMA (3-4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is an illegal drug made with chemicals in labs or factories which is also a reason why the purity is always a question. MDMA is most commonly known by the street name 'ecstasy'. It is also known with the names E, X, XTC, Adam, hug, beans, clarity, essence, lover's speed, and love drug. This drug comes in the form of a pill, a tablet, or a capsule usually colorful with cartoon pictures on them and can be physically addictive. Ecstasy is a stimulant but it has some hallucinogenic properties, and is often used in parties, clubs and raves.

History.

The people who originally produced MDMA were the pharmaceutical German company 'Merck'. Then WWI intervened with the production so MDMA was quickly forgotten about. It was not rediscovered until the 1960s by an American alchemist of a Russian descent, Alexander Shulgin. After trying the drug himself as an experiment he introduced it to his psychologist friend, Leo Zoff. Zoff then went around the country distributing MDMA, and the drug was later on introduced into Europe.

Effects on the Brain.

MDMA takes only about 15 minutes for the affects to reach the brain. It is neurotoxic, meaning it damages nerve tissues. Ecstasy has been shown to damage neurons that release serotonin, which controls mood, sensitivity to pain, sexual activity, agression, and sleep, that are damaged. This can cause memory loss.

Medical Use.

This drug is not used for any medical purpose, although the US DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) has given permission to test MDMA on several patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Effects.

Short Term:
* Confusion
* Sleep problems
* Anxiety
* Teeth clenching
* Blurred vision
* Acne like rash
* Brain damage
* Depression
* Addiction
* Paranoia
* Nausea
* Chills and sweating
* Liver damage
* Aggression
Long Term:
* Impaired memory
* Reduction of serotonin and dopamine
* Disrupts normal brain activity
* Learning disorders
* Emotional problems
* Financial problems (from addiction)
Withdrawal effects:
* depression
* anxiety
* panic attacks
* sleeplessness
* "de-personalization"
* "de-realizaation"
* paranoid delusions

Price.

Indonesia : one pill for Rp. 70000-Rp. 80000

Statistics.

Penalties.

Indonesia : Prison. It depends whether the person was in possesion, trafficking, or selling and how much ecstasy was found. If the offence was very serious the punishment could be increased to a death penalty.
Singapore : Death.

Imaginary Characters.

Drug Abuser.
A drug abuser is someone who takes the drug and likes it and takes a bit more each time due to the decreasing effect of tolerance.
Drug Misuser.
A drug misuser takes more than enough of the drugs believing it will give a better effect.
Recreational Drug User.
A recreational drug user only does drugs for fun and is not addicted. They use it when they are with friends or at a party.

Agung comes from a middle class family and brought his parents pride and joy because of his above average grades. He has never done drugs before and likes nasi goreng with teh botol. He graduates school and becomes college freshman in Jakarta and has a good first semester. Since he is a smart person and is socially active, he is able to make friends easily. But during his second semester he befriended a group of friends known to party a lot. Soon he was going out to parties late at night with them and got introduced to ecstasy. At first he refused, knowing the dangers, but because of peer pressure he eventually tried one pill and the result was an amazing night. He liked the effect of the euphoria 'high' feeling but he hated the dysphoria when the effect wore off. So Agung kept taking more and more pills to fulfill he craving and soon got addicted. As his body tolerance increased so did the drug doses. He was failing in his studies due to impaired memory and anxiety among other things. He was also always low on money because it was all spent on E when he got the chance.
His older brother noticed a change and convinced Agung he had a drug problem. Agung started to quit taking drugs with the help of his brother and finally got his life back on track, but he still felt the withdrawal effects such as delusions and depression.

Although it is shown that ecstasy doesn't cause as much addiction as other drugs this user was psychologically and physically addicted. He felt he needed more ecstasy to maintain his 'high' and when he didn't take any he would feel the withdrawal effects.

JIS Drug Policies and Consequences

JIS carries out random drug tests by getting hair samples, if the result is positive the student will be expelled.
"Any student found to be in the possession of taking, behind under the influence of, buying or selling, giving or trafficking, or in any way directly or indirectly aiding or abetting the propagation of any narcotics, stimulants, barbiturates, suppressants, hallucinogenic drugs, or marijuana is subject to expulsion. The test or search shall be conducted under the supervision of the administration."

Endorphin Releasing Activities.

Instead of using drugs to release endorphin to feel good, try safe stress-free activites. These include excercising, eating chocolate, and being cheerful or laughing a lot.

Family.

If a member of a family starts taking drugs and gets addicted it would cause many problems. The parents could start to have more arguments which could end in a divorce. People would probably want to stay away from the family so they wouldn't get influenced. If the user is the child, they would lose their parents' trust especially if they had to steal money to buy the drugs. The community would possibly blame the parents for not raising a good child. The parents might send the child to a boarding school, rehab center, or keep them at home so they can make sure the child doesn't do anymore drugs.
Either way, if someone takes drugs he/she is not the only one who gets effected because everyone around them will effected in some way.

Helping.

If someone you know has a drug problem and wants to stop you should do what you can to help. First, if they are willing to quit it makes it much easier. Then, find an appropriate reliable rehab center and check the person in. When he/she finally gets out you should help to make sure that person isn't going back to the drugs by spending time with him/her.
But, if there is someone who you think is addicted but doesn't want to admit it you should make them realize what they are doing. Motivate them to want to stop by telling life stories related to drugs. When you achieve this send him/her to a rehab center and continue to give your support.

Movies. Ads. Song.

Advertisements.
Against Ecstasy:

For Ecstasy:
Mad TV - Comercials - Ecstasy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHG8cjI5B-w

Movies.
The Anniversary Party (2001)

"Ecstasy" - ATB

Have you ever noticed,

That I’m not acting as I used to do before?

Have you ever wondered,

Why I always keep on coming back for more?

What have you done to me,

I’ll never be the same I'll tell you for sure

I’ll never be the same I'll tell you for sure

I’ll never be the same I'll tell you for sure

You really are my ecstasy,

My real life fantasy, oh yeah

You really are my ecstasy,

My real life fantasy, oh yeah

Not that I’m complaining,

A more beautiful vision - I have never seen

If you don’t mind me saying,

A life of ambition to fulfill my dream

What have you done to me,
I’ll never be the same I'll tell you for sure

I’ll never be the same I'll tell you for sure
I’ll never be the same I'll tell you for sure

You really are my ecstasy,
My real life fantasy, oh yeah

You really are my ecstasy,
My real life fantasy, oh yeah

You really are my ecstasy,

(There can be no other

While we still have each other)

My real life fantasy, oh yeah

You really are my ecstasy,

(There can be no other

While we still have each other)

My real life fantasy, oh yeah

You really are my ecstasy,

(There can be no other

While we still have each other)

My real life fantasy, oh yeah

Stopping Addictions.

It is very hard to stop an addiction when it is something you enjoy doing. Even if a person has the willpower to want to stop it will still be a hard process. If I wanted to stop an addiction and I had someone to support me and force me to stop it will help a lot although I would still have to set my mind on quitting and tell myself that I don't need it anymore.
Especially in drug addictions it will be harder to stop because the drug already affects the brain, but it is possible to quit through family and friend support, rehab, and other endorphin releasing activities.

Local Organizations.

Yayasan Insan Pengasih Indonesia (YIPI)
Jl. Daksa IV No. 69
Jakarta Selatan
Telp. (021) 7208216

Rumah Harapan & Pemulihan Bethesda
Jl. Danau Sunter Selatan blok I 5 No. 18
Jakarta Utara
Telp. (021) 6400455 – 56

Narkotik Anonymous (NA)
Jl. Pekalongan No. 26
Jakarta Pusat
Telp. (021) 6400455 – 56

Quiz.

1. What are the street names for MDMA?
2. How is ecstasy produced?
3. How does it effect the brain?
4. Name 3 short term effects.
5. Name 3 long term effects.
6. Name 3 withdrawal effects.
7. How does ecstasy's death rates compare to other drugs like heroin?
8. What is the punishment in Indonesia?
9. Are there any medical benefits from using ecstasy?
10. Is ecstasy physically or psychologically addictive? and why?

Bibliography.

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_xtc1.asp
http://www.ephidrina.org/ecstasy/history.html
http://www.drugresearcher.com/news/ng.asp?id=50422-trial-assesses-medical
http://www.ecstasy-effects.com/
http://www.addictionwithdrawal.com/ecstasy.htm
http://64.203.71.11/kompas-cetak/0306/04/daerah/347748.htm
www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k3/ecstasy/ecstasy.htm
www.oas.samhsa.gov/nhsda/2k3nsduh/2k3Results.htm
thedea.org/statistics.html
http://www.kapanlagi.com/a/0000002210.html
http://www.unexplainable.net/artman/publish/article_8063.shtml