One has indisputably heard of the synthetic stimulant, ecstasy, which has gained popularity in the United States. Ecstasy is becoming a drug of choice for many teens in the country. MDMA or ecstasy is a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties. It usually comes in a tablet form that is often branded with Nike signs or cartoon characters. Normally it is consumed as a pill, but can be consumed in other ways, at "raves," to keep on dancing and for mood enhancement. It enhances ones mood by affecting the brain but it also damages the brain. Is this "happy" drug really safe, and where does it originate?
             Ecstasy was originally 'developed around 1914' in Germany by Merck as a weight-reducing drug, but was never used for this purpose (The Drug Libraries, Hallucnogens pg 11). As time passed, the popularity of mind-altering drugs intensified. As a result, ecstasy appeared on the streets of the U.S. in the 1960's. The use of ecstasy became very popular on college campuses. Yet, today ecstasy can be found almost anywhere. How popular has this "hug drug" become today?
             Today ecstasy has been found mostly at "raves", dance clubs, where alcoholic beverages are not served. Its popularity amongst teenagers has grown. Where once ecstasy was only consumed at "raves" it is now what is called a social drug. It is as common to teens as marijuana. Each year more and more teenagers are getting hooked to this drug. "Eight percent of U.S. high school seniors say they have tried ecstasy at least once," notes Time Magazine (June 5, 2001; pg 64). That's a 2.2% increase since 1997; however, there has been a decline in use of other illicit drugs. Nationwide, customs officers have already seized more then 5.4 million hits of ecstasy in 1999. In 1998 only 750,000 hits was confiscated. The appeal towards this drug is not limited to ravers. From Bourb...