Commonly referred to as “X,” a quantity of the drug was recently confiscated by the Big Spring Police Department’s Narcotics Unit, according to Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer for the BSPD.

“Within the past month, the Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant and located 69 dosage units of ecstasy, and believe it may just be a small portion of what is actually circulating throughout Big Spring,” said Everett. “We want to inform and educate local residents — especially parents and guardians — of this influx of the drug.”

Everett said everything — from the drug’s appearance to the paraphernalia surrounding it — is aimed at young people.

“Everything from its name to its physical characteristics targets the younger generation,” said Everett. “Ecstasy is usually found in the form of a tablet or capsule, often with a symbol — everything from cartoon characters to shapes and designs — on it. It occasionally comes as a powder.

“Ecstasy users have discovered certain products can be used to combat the drug’s common side effects, such as jaw muscle tension and teeth grinding. They have also discovered ways to increase the sensation from ecstasy use.”

Everett said those products — which can often be found at parties where the drug is being used — can serve as an early warning to parents.

“Parents need to be aware of these innocent looking items, which could be an indication of ecstasy use or addiction,” said Everett. “Pacifiers, lollipops, florescent light sticks, menthol nasal inhalers, Vick’s Vapor Rub eye drops and candy necklaces or bracelets are all commonly found at these parties. Each of them either helps relieve jaw muscle tension and teeth grinding, or it increases the stimulation and enhances the visual effects of the drugs. Common objects like breath mint or gum tins are also being used to conceal the pills.”

According to Everett, ecstasy is a Schedule 1 synthetic, psychoactive drug that possesses stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Ecstasy contains MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), which possesses chemical variations of the stimulant amphetamine and methamphetamine and a hallucinogen, most often mescaline.

The drug is well known for its ability to produce feelings of overwhelming euphoria, a strong sense of intimacy with others, and pronounced overall civility, and is commonly associated with the rave culture and its related genres of music.

Everett said ecstasy’s popularity among the youth has been fueled by the myth it is a safe drug, is not harmful and doesn’t cause drug addiction, which the police sergeant said couldn’t be further from the truth.

“The fact of the matter is the amount of MDMA needed to get high is dangerously close to a toxic dose,” said Everett. “The potential dangers of ecstasy abuse include nausea, hallucinations, chills and sweating, increased body temperature, tremors, muscle cramping, muscle breakdown and blurred vision. It’s also been known to cause severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, heart and kidney failure, seizures, stroke, brain damage — and even death.”

Everett said the drug is also used to sexually exploit females while they are under its influence.

“And what a lot of people don’t understand is there are long term effects the drug can have on the brain,” said Everett. “It actually injures the brain in ways that last long after the user stops taking it. A study showed habitual ecstasy users suffer long-term neurological damage, and recreational users may be in danger of developing permanent brain damage. This could manifest into depression, anxiety, memory loss, neuro-psychiatric disorder and drug addiction. Other evidence suggests ecstasy affects its users in ways similar to Alzheimer’s disease.

“Also, numerous scientific studies have shown significant impairments in memory and learning in individuals who have taken ecstasy. They indicate the effect ecstasy use has on the memory can’t simply be attributed to withdrawal or residual effects, and it could result in persistent memory damage.”

The best weapon in the battle against ecstasy use, according to Everett, is good, reliable information.

“Our primary concern has to be for the safety of our children,” said Everett. “We want to make sure we get this information out there and in the hands of the parents and guardians who need it most. If anyone has any questions regarding the drug, they are welcome to contact the police department’s Narcotics Unit at (432) 264-2595.”

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it