ChEmIcaL_NiGhT
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2001
- Messages
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A transcript from the herald sun article (typical herld sun crap, though i would like to know if what they say is actually true)
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Ecstasy kills clubber, 20
By MARK DUNN
07aug02
ECSTASY has claimed its first Victorian victims. A woman, aged about 20, collapsed and died after taking ecstasy at a Melbourne nightclub.
Three more people, in their 20s and 30s, died last year because of ecstasy mixed with other drugs.
They are among 16 Victorian deaths since 1992 in which ecstasy was a factor, the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine says.
The most recent case is the only death where ecstasy was the sole cause of catastrophic organ failure.
It remained unreported until now because the coronial investigation was not public. Family privacy prevents further details being released.
More than a dozen overdoses each week lead to hospital treatment and the institute's Professor Olaf Drummer said it was a matter of chance that more deaths had not been recorded.
Hundreds of ecstasy tablets are sold every week at Melbourne raves or dance parties.
Ecstasy and amphetamine use has spiralled as the continued heroin drought leads addicts to turn to other drugs.
A corrupted form of ecstasy, PMA -- known on the street as "killer" or "death" -- has killed about 17 young Australians in recent years.
Drug researcher Dr Rod Irvine estimates about 50 ravers are admitted to hospital in Australia each week from the effects of ecstasy.
St Vincent's emergency department sees about five ecstasy overdoses a week during school and university breaks and the Alfred Hospital treats two to three a week.
"There is a perception among young people that ecstasy is safe," Dr Irvine said. "I know there are people involved in drug research, especially from Sydney, who have expressed this view.
"With pure ecstasy by itself, under controlled conditions, it probably is reasonable to say it is not hugely dangerous. But the truth is much more complex."
He said individuals reacted differently to the drugs. And users, thinking they were buying ecstasy, were often duped into taking drugs made from substances including LSD, heroin, cocaine, powdered glass and horse tranquillisers.
"It is impossible to predict what will happen," Dr Irvine said.
"You should be extremely cautious about saying anything is safe."
Despite the dangers of ecstasy, national broadcaster the ABC has posted a website describing it
as a spiritual "love" drug promoting "oneness", and not particularly dangerous.
The official ABC website, written by the broadcaster's health commentator Norman Swan, says misinformation about ecstasy gave it an undeserved reputation.
"This is fuelled every so often when someone dies from allegedly taking the drug," Dr Swan states. "It's not as bad for us as we've been led to believe."
The ABC defended the site, saying it was important material first published in 1997 but still relevant.
"The article in no way condones or encourages the use of recreational drugs," ABC project manager Ian Vaile said.
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Few things to say:
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Ecstasy kills clubber, 20
By MARK DUNN
07aug02
ECSTASY has claimed its first Victorian victims. A woman, aged about 20, collapsed and died after taking ecstasy at a Melbourne nightclub.
Three more people, in their 20s and 30s, died last year because of ecstasy mixed with other drugs.
They are among 16 Victorian deaths since 1992 in which ecstasy was a factor, the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine says.
The most recent case is the only death where ecstasy was the sole cause of catastrophic organ failure.
It remained unreported until now because the coronial investigation was not public. Family privacy prevents further details being released.
More than a dozen overdoses each week lead to hospital treatment and the institute's Professor Olaf Drummer said it was a matter of chance that more deaths had not been recorded.
Hundreds of ecstasy tablets are sold every week at Melbourne raves or dance parties.
Ecstasy and amphetamine use has spiralled as the continued heroin drought leads addicts to turn to other drugs.
A corrupted form of ecstasy, PMA -- known on the street as "killer" or "death" -- has killed about 17 young Australians in recent years.
Drug researcher Dr Rod Irvine estimates about 50 ravers are admitted to hospital in Australia each week from the effects of ecstasy.
St Vincent's emergency department sees about five ecstasy overdoses a week during school and university breaks and the Alfred Hospital treats two to three a week.
"There is a perception among young people that ecstasy is safe," Dr Irvine said. "I know there are people involved in drug research, especially from Sydney, who have expressed this view.
"With pure ecstasy by itself, under controlled conditions, it probably is reasonable to say it is not hugely dangerous. But the truth is much more complex."
He said individuals reacted differently to the drugs. And users, thinking they were buying ecstasy, were often duped into taking drugs made from substances including LSD, heroin, cocaine, powdered glass and horse tranquillisers.
"It is impossible to predict what will happen," Dr Irvine said.
"You should be extremely cautious about saying anything is safe."
Despite the dangers of ecstasy, national broadcaster the ABC has posted a website describing it
as a spiritual "love" drug promoting "oneness", and not particularly dangerous.
The official ABC website, written by the broadcaster's health commentator Norman Swan, says misinformation about ecstasy gave it an undeserved reputation.
"This is fuelled every so often when someone dies from allegedly taking the drug," Dr Swan states. "It's not as bad for us as we've been led to believe."
The ABC defended the site, saying it was important material first published in 1997 but still relevant.
"The article in no way condones or encourages the use of recreational drugs," ABC project manager Ian Vaile said.
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Few things to say:
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