Illegal Drugs - Teacher Booklet

24 PILLS AND ECSTASY effects of ecstasy Ecstasy causes activity in the central nervous system to speed up, and can take effect within 60minutes of initially taking it. However, the time taken to have an effect can vary. Sometimes people mistakenly think the first pill they took isn’t working and take more — this can be very dangerous. Effects of ecstasy vary, but may include: Ecstasy is the common name for the drug methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). ‘Pills’ is a word used to describe a range of substances sold in pill-form. Traditionally, ‘pills’ referred to tablets containing MDMA. However pills or tablets sold as ecstasy may not contain any MDMA at all, and/or they may contain a wide range of other substances. Some substances found in pills can be highly toxic even at low doses. It is important to note that even pure ecstasy is risky. Ecstasy is usually sold in pill form, although it can also be sold as powder, crystals, or in capsules. Pills usually have a logo stamped on them. However, a logo is no guarantee of quality or purity: two pills that look the same may have very different effects as they can come from different sources and have different ingredients. Ecstasy and pills are also known as E, pills, pingers, doopa, love drug, disco biscuits, XTC and eccy. what are they ? Analysis in 2011 / 2012 by the Australian Crime Commission indicates the average purity of pills sold as ecstasy ranged from 15 - 18 % across Australia . immediate long term • Dilated (enlarged) pupils • Increased heart rate and blood pressure • Increased energy • Feeling of euphoria (a ‘high’) • Teeth grinding and jaw clenching • Anxiety and panic attacks • Overheating and dehydration (when the body loses more water than it takes in) • A ‘comedown’ (see glossary) • Nausea, vomiting and dizziness • Visual distortions (things looking weird or different) • Paranoia (feeling extremely suspicious and frightened) • Psychosis (see glossary) • Serotonin syndrome (see glossary) • Stroke • Dependence (addiction) • Long-term problems with depression • Impairments to memory and attention • Liver problems