Young Queenslanders would be safer if they swore off binge drinking and instead consumed a small amount of ecstasy, a prominent researcher at Queensland's Alcohol and Drug Research Centre (QADREC) says.
In the wake of new data which shows more young Queenslanders are switching to ecstasy following the Rudd Government's 70 per cent tax hike on alcopops, QADREC director Professor Jake Najman said ecstasy was actually a "lesser evil" than binge drinking.
However, the statement brought a stinging rebuke from another researcher, who cited the 1995 death of Sydney schoolgirl Anna Wood after she took an ecstasy pill at a dance party.
Professor Najman, who has a PhD in Social Epidemiology and a Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Medical Sociology, said ecstasy was "relatively benign if taken in small quantities".
"When young people switch from a substantial amount of alcohol to a small amount of ecstasy ... I don't think that's a bad trade at all," Professor Najman said.
"It is not likely that one pill on a Saturday night poses the same dangers as frequent binge drinking."
Illicit drug use is associated with around 1000 deaths per year in Australia. However, Professor Najman said ecstasy was actually "cheaper and safer" for young people than excessive amounts of alcohol.
"Even drug-related problems, including psychotic episodes and violent behaviour are not seen with ecstasy, as they are with amphetamines and alcohol," he said.
Professor Najman's comments drew scorn from University of Adelaide PhD student Emily Jaehne, who said ecstasy was often laced with potentially lethal substances such as the nerve-numbing horse tranquilliser ketamine, morphine, anti-anxiety medication and a substance used to treat dogs and cats for incontinence.
Ms Jaehne said MDMA, ecstasy's major chemical component, increased body temperature by up to five degrees.
"When taken at hot nightclubs or rave parties the heightened effects could lead to severe brain damage or death," Ms Jaehne said.
She said it was crucial people were made more aware of the "grave" dangers associated with the pills, and "not misguided by ridiculous information".
Anna Wood died after taking ecstasy and dehydrating so badly that she drank water until her kidneys shut down and her brain swelled. She was found vomiting in a toilet, taken to a home and put to bed before eventually being taken to hospital the next morning. She never regained consciousness.
Annabel Catt, 20, died in February last year after going to a dance party and taking what she thought was ecstasy. It actually turned out to be the deadly drug PMA.
Anecdotal evidence suggesting young Australians have now discovered the benefits of buying ecstasy pills in bulk, has strengthened criticism of the Rudd Government's alcopop tax hike.
Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia research manager Stephen Riden said recent data made a mockery of the Government's stated aim.
"The words 'abject failure' would spring to mind," Mr Riden said.
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Ecstasy 'safer' than binge drinking
Marissa Calligeros | September 2, 2008 - 8:37AM
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2008/09/02/1220121176645.html
In the wake of new data which shows more young Queenslanders are switching to ecstasy following the Rudd Government's 70 per cent tax hike on alcopops, QADREC director Professor Jake Najman said ecstasy was actually a "lesser evil" than binge drinking.
However, the statement brought a stinging rebuke from another researcher, who cited the 1995 death of Sydney schoolgirl Anna Wood after she took an ecstasy pill at a dance party.
Professor Najman, who has a PhD in Social Epidemiology and a Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Medical Sociology, said ecstasy was "relatively benign if taken in small quantities".
"When young people switch from a substantial amount of alcohol to a small amount of ecstasy ... I don't think that's a bad trade at all," Professor Najman said.
"It is not likely that one pill on a Saturday night poses the same dangers as frequent binge drinking."
Illicit drug use is associated with around 1000 deaths per year in Australia. However, Professor Najman said ecstasy was actually "cheaper and safer" for young people than excessive amounts of alcohol.
"Even drug-related problems, including psychotic episodes and violent behaviour are not seen with ecstasy, as they are with amphetamines and alcohol," he said.
Professor Najman's comments drew scorn from University of Adelaide PhD student Emily Jaehne, who said ecstasy was often laced with potentially lethal substances such as the nerve-numbing horse tranquilliser ketamine, morphine, anti-anxiety medication and a substance used to treat dogs and cats for incontinence.
Ms Jaehne said MDMA, ecstasy's major chemical component, increased body temperature by up to five degrees.
"When taken at hot nightclubs or rave parties the heightened effects could lead to severe brain damage or death," Ms Jaehne said.
She said it was crucial people were made more aware of the "grave" dangers associated with the pills, and "not misguided by ridiculous information".
Anna Wood died after taking ecstasy and dehydrating so badly that she drank water until her kidneys shut down and her brain swelled. She was found vomiting in a toilet, taken to a home and put to bed before eventually being taken to hospital the next morning. She never regained consciousness.
Annabel Catt, 20, died in February last year after going to a dance party and taking what she thought was ecstasy. It actually turned out to be the deadly drug PMA.
Anecdotal evidence suggesting young Australians have now discovered the benefits of buying ecstasy pills in bulk, has strengthened criticism of the Rudd Government's alcopop tax hike.
Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia research manager Stephen Riden said recent data made a mockery of the Government's stated aim.
"The words 'abject failure' would spring to mind," Mr Riden said.
------------------------------------------------------
Ecstasy 'safer' than binge drinking
Marissa Calligeros | September 2, 2008 - 8:37AM
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2008/09/02/1220121176645.html
