Ecstasy is among the main categories of drugs known as “club drugs.” These are commonly abused and sold at parties referred to as “raves.” These parties are usually large and widely advertised. Rave promoters can be local agencies or persons as well as national enterprises. Raves are often marketed as alcohol free, which gives parents a false sense of security. These parties employ large bands, dj’s, and use lots of pyschodelic lighting. Loud pounding music is a common characteristic of these events. At raves GHB and Ketamine are often distributed along with an assortment of paraphenelia. Items consistant with these drugs are menthol nasal enhalers, Vicks Vapor Rub, eye drops, surgical mask, glow sticks (to enhance visual effects of drugs), Skittles, M&M’s, and similar candies (to hide drugs), lollipops and pacifiers (to prevent involuntary teeth clinching), water, juice, sports drinks and soft drinks (sold at inflated prices and used to manage excessive body heat and dehydration), and drug testing kits.

	Severe Dehydration		Glow Sticks
	High Fever		Pacifiers
	Nausea		Vicks Vapor Rub
	Hallucinations		Mask
	Chills		Glow Jewelery
	Sweating		Water Bottles
	Tremors
	Involuntary Teeth Clenching
	Muscle Cramping
	Blurred Vision
	Pressure
	Faintness

The scientific name for ecstasy is “MDMA” or Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Ecstasy is also considered a “club drug,” due to the euphoric state is produces. MDMA is a chemical made in illegal labs around the country. Other chemicals can be substituted for MDMA in the production of ecstasy; therefore the purity of this drug is always in question.
Ecstasy is usually taken orally in a pill or tablet form. These pills can be produced in various colors and often have images on them. For most users a “hit” of ecstasy usually last for three to six hours. It takes the substance approximately fifteen minutes to enter bloodstream and brain when taken by mouth. Ecstasy suppresses the need to eat, drink or sleep, and commonly allows users to be up partying for two to three days. The after effects of ecstasy usually consist of depression, sleep problems and anxiety and have been reported to last days to weeks after use.

Users of Ecstasy experience a euphoric state brought on by the release of Dopamine and Seratonin that the drug triggers. These chemical messangers or Neurotransmitters are released by the brain and cause users to feel very happy, loving and common physical touches becoming very stimulating. During this euphoric state light is also very stimulating, therefore glow sticks, lasers and bright lighting are commonly used to stimulate. The over production and release of these chemicals can also cause a shortage. Therefore users may experience depression after use due lack of chemical stimulant to keep them happy. Upon the use of Ecstasy a marked increase in body temperature occurs, and intensifies in the hot, crowded conditions of rave environments. Therefore the user can become dehydrated, prompting an increase in water consumption. In some cases “water intoxication” occurs when excessive amounts of water are consumed leading to a dramatic increase in electrolytes.