American Drug Epidemic: Guess What, It's Not Meth

American Drug Epidemic: Guess What, It's Not Meth

by Ronald Borst

February 20, 2014

In clandestine woods, deep in the wilds of Canada, a drug epidemic is brewing, and the most affected will be American youth.

Ecstasy is the new darling of the getting-high world, and the money to be made, is attracting a different breed of drug dealer. A January article in The New York Post, “Inside the Lucrative World of Ecstasy Smuggling,” by Madeleine Scinto, details the attraction in alarming detail.

Popular during the 1990s, the party drug has seen a resurgence as of late. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, seizures of ecstasy along the border has increased from 500 pounds in 2006, to 1000 pounds in 2010. Seizures in New york have surpassed 2006 levels, and the articles also states that the biggest increase in users is the 18-25 year-old demographic, with increased use among 12 year old kids as well.

In the article, the dealer has a job and even a degree. Making $40 an hour tutoring grad-school math is not enough, and the lure of $1000 days was too much too pass up. Her clientele seems to be mostly affluent college kids, and the network is widespread. Connections are made via school, parties, and “raves.” The raves are the electronic dance music popular with many ecstasy users. Dealers are keen to that, and the branching out is easy in that arena.

MDMA, the bulk of the ecstasy drug, affects the central nervous system and brain, delivering a euphoric “feel good” high, but also has a brutal, withdrawal laden, come-down. Depression and death are common in this stage, mostly due to the effects on the brain and the urge to maintain the high, resulting in overdose.

It gets worse.

In the fight to limit the drug, Canadian authorities have been very successful in combating production of “E” by restricting access to a main compound of the production process, safrole oil. A by-product of the Canadians' success, has been an increase in dangerous “bath salts.”

These are not really bath salts at all, but rather a homemade concoction of synthetics, designed to pass for ecstasy. They resemble epsom salts and provide a cocaine-like buzz that has a horribly toxic “comedown.”

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports over 6100 bath salt overdoses in 2011, compared to just 300 the year prior. Success in battling the ecstasy will only lead to more of these pseudo drugs trying to mimic ecstasy, and that will lead to an even bigger rise in “bath salt” overdoses. Expect batch salt deaths in the news...and try and spread the word about these dangers.

Most of the globe's ecstasy, is manufactured in these wildland labs in Canada's forests, and almost all of the U.S. Supply is Canadian made. In such close proximity to ecstasy, America has a tough choice ahead. And because it involves a border, it makes the ordeal daunting.

America is leaning away from the zero-tolerance policies of yesteryear, and with rising ecstasy problems, she will be tested on this front. The key here is to understand that extreme measures rarely work. A complete zero-tolerance is unjust, as is open-use. Unjust as in unhealthy as well. But in the case of ecstasy, zero-tolerance may be worth a try.

Why?

Well, for starters, “E” is much more dangerous than marijuana and other "entry level" drugs. Two, the copycat drugs are inherently fatal. Meaning, that death in many cases is certain. In light of THAT, zero-tolerance is a worthwhile approach. Third, by attempting to restrict and limit ecstasy's entry into the U.S., can prepare America for a budding industry here, a drug industry that no doubt will try and copy Canada's money-making schemes, including the fake and very dangerous bath salt concoctions.

In my opinion, a zero-tolerance policy is okay, when it comes to  bath salt "ecstasies." Ecstacy, on the other hand, needs some rehab and community service application. On February 17 of 2014, murder suspect William Parisio died in his cell. He had been in jail for the murder of his girlfriend, and soon after the heinous crime, Parisio's mother told the media that, “he was a bath salts addict.” In another disturbing implication of bath salts, a Florida crime made the news when a man attacked a homeless person, half-eating his face off. Although no positive bath salt tests have come from either one of these cases, debate exists about whether testing is even capable enough. So far, the answer is no.

Ecstasy was used in United States psychotherapy experiments during the 1970s and by the 1990s, U.S. Policy makers were realizing the street use and abuse.(Bahora,Sterk,Elifson) “E” is easily accessible on the street, and even some policy makers are linking this drug, which is a Schedule I in the U.S., to a “normalisation” of limited tolerance. The Inquiry report cited studies that revealed a more “civilized” user of ecstasy. They found that a large number of these ravers and “E”ers were goal and career orientated. Many of the subjects HAD ambition, unlike most other epidemic-like drugs.

In Atlanta, Georgia between 2002 and 2007, studies showed that adult male ecstasy users outnumbered their female counterparts 2 to 1.(male=64%) The results also showed a slight majority of white users.(54%) Their median age was almost legal age, just under 21, and in an alarming and very telling statistic, the study showed a first-use age of 17.

If these stats do not warn America of an impending crisis, nothing will.

An un-named young lady said, “I do a lot of drugs, but I function well. I have healthy relationships, I have a job. I pay my bills.”

This does illustrate some flexibility associated with drug use in general. But when considering the lack of studies or the severe violence in some cases, it is worth looking at intense restrictions.

If we look at the “bath salts,” it may seem that these are the more dangerous. Which would warrant laws to combat fake versions of “E” and provide tools for holding manufacturers accountable. In classic form, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul(R) blocked potential legislation.(Leger)

The two bills that Paul has blocked, would broaden bans on chemical concoctions. Some, including Senator Paul, say that the legislation has “disproportionate” sentencing, and needs to be re-written.(Sullum) Others also have said that the bans would hinder medical research.

Either way, some solution is needed.

Works Cited:

New Jersey Star Ledger, “Murder Suspect Dies In Jail,” by Tom Haydon

The New York Post, “Inside the Lucrative World of Ecstasy Smuggling,” by Madeleine Scinto

Understanding Recreational Ecstasy Use in the U.S.: A Qualitative Inquiry, Bahora, Sterk, & Elifson

'Bath Salt' Poisonings Rise as Legislative Ban Tied Up, Donna Leinwand Leger

Hit & Run Blog, “Rand Paul Blocks Synthetic Drug Ban,” Jacob Sullum