When it gets into an individual’s system, a psychoactive substance affects mental processes such as cognition. Specifically, it works like a psychotropic substance that can alter the functions of the central nervous system. Such alterations can lead to temporary changes in mood, behavior, perception, and consciousness (Wood 65). According to Wood, people may use the drug for recreational purposes to alter their consciousness in a way that is similar to using alcohol, coffee, or cannabis sativa (65). On the other hand, some people can use it as medications in a way that is similar to the consumption of narcotics to control pain or stimulants to treat attention disorders and narcolepsy or anti-psychotics. Some people also use them as anti-depressants that are widely used to treat psychiatric and neurological illnesses (Pycroft 40). The popularity of ecstasy is attributable to the fact that it helps revelers to experience great euphoric feelings. Ecstasy as a psychoactive drug is a cause of concern because of the growing number of deaths that are attributable to its use (Wood 107). Presently, ecstasy is one of the most abused psychoactive substances in the United States.
Research suggests that ecstasy contains Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), which gives it the hallucinogenic and stimulant effects (Holland 56). The substance “club drug” comes in tablet forms that users can take orally, but some consume it anally through “shafting” or “plugging”. Some people also prefer it in powder form that they can snort. Ecstasy is illegal in many countries and accounts for a huge share of the illegal markets within the drug industry. For many years, America’s federal drug agencies have been trying to control its use and eliminate it from the drug markets. Controlling the flow and distribution of ecstasy as an illicit drug requires a lot of training. The current strategies that the government employs to control ecstasy have not been successful because of its broad appeal among younger generations (Holland 37).
The Federal agents are still using the “1980s Crackhouse Law” in their attempts to shut down the raves and control Ecstasy use. The federal government has tried to curb the ecstasy problem by prosecuting race promoters as well as pursuing the drug dealers. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) is concerned that word “raves” is part of the problem because it supports the use of ecstasy among the youth as a “club drug” (Holland 43). The federal authorities accuse the promoters of ecstasy of designing a substance that can promote pervasive drug abuse. In most cases, the promoters use drug paraphernalia, as well as other items, that enhance Ecstasy’s high. Some of the items that are widely used with the drug include pacifiers, dust masks, and glow sticks. The federal agencies that focus on tackling ecstasy abuse hold workshops and seminars, which hold discussions on how to shut down raves.
Some of the strategies that are widely used to curb ecstasy abuse target younger generations through the mass media, such as T.Vs and radio. In most cases, such strategies seek to discourage them from using ecstasy while others persuade them to stop using the psychoactive substances. However, the strategy has not been effective because the target audience believes that the campaigns are mere alarmist tactics that are not factual (Pycroft 89). The media has played a crucial role in providing invaluable information about ecstasy as well as creating awareness about the problems that it portends. In most cases, the youth do not believe some of the claims that are widely presented in the media campaigns. The users are of the opinion that most media campaigns are unrealistic, pointless, and funny. Accordingly, the lack of accurate information and facts about ecstasy contribute to the ineffectiveness of media campaigns that target the existing and potential users. Primarily, they do not deter current users or discourage the youths from experimenting with ecstasy.
The educational strategies that seek to address the ecstasy problem among the youth can be effective if the stakeholders design and implement them properly. They should outline the effects as well as other negative consequences of using ecstasy. A “RaveSafe” promotional strategy that emphasizes on the safety of parties in the clubs provides educational information about the way partygoers can reduce the risk of being victims of ecstasy abuse. The scare tactics do not work; therefore, concerned organizations should focus on fact-based approaches. Such organizations can use internet resources to combat the prevalence of ecstasy use or to reduce its popularity among American youths. Due to its wider reach, organizations can use the internet to relay accurate information about ecstasy to the target audience to deter them from abusing the drug (Pycroft 71)). Additionally, the federal laws and policies should be reviewed to help law enforcement agencies to deal with the drug dealers who distribute the drug in different neighborhoods.
In sum, the consumption of psychoactive substances, such as depressants and stimulants, can cause chemical dependency behaviors that lead to substance abuse. However, the use of psychedelics, such as ecstasy, to cure addictions emerged in the U.S. in the 1990s. From that time, it gained popularity among the youth. To date, the federal government has spent billions of taxpayers’ money on the war on drugs, and the government has incarcerated and killed many people in its efforts to curb illegal drug use. Many ecstasy users believe that it is a safe substance, which can only be harmful when an individual encounters a “bad” trip.
Works Cited
Holland, Julie. Ecstasy: The Complete Guide: A Comprehensive Look at the Risks and Benefits of MDMA. New York: Prentice Hall, Prentice Hall, 2001. Print
Pycroft, Aaron. Key Concepts in Substance Misuse. Oxford: Oxford University, 2015. Print.
Wood, David. Novel Psychoactive Substances: Classification, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. Stanford: Stanford University, 2013. Print.
