[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 26, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S2893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                ECSTASY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, many times I have come to the floor to 
express my concerns regarding the threat of illegal drugs to our young 
people. Today, I want to address one drug in particular, a designer 
drug called Ecstasy. Although it has been around a long time, its use 
has exploded recently. As with most such drugs, drug pushers are 
marketing it as a safe drug. That's a lie.
  Ecstasy is a Schedule I synthetic drug with amphetamine-like 
properties that is inexpensive and easy to make. It acts as a stimulant 
and a hallucinogen for approximately 4 to 6 hours and gives its users a 
false sense of ease and relaxation. Because of these effects, Ecstasy 
is often found in big city club scenes that specialize in attracting 
young people. Recently, however, the nation is experiencing an Ecstasy 
explosion, which is spreading this dangerous drug into suburban and 
rural areas. With the recent release of a study on substance abuse in 
mid-size cities and rural America by the National Center on Addiction 
and Substance Abuse (CASA), this is particularly disturbing.
  In January of this year, CASA warned that Americans need to recognize 
that drugs are not only an urban problem, but a rural problem as well. 
I see this in my own state of Iowa. CASA reports that 8th graders 
living in rural America are 34 percent more likely to smoke marijuana 
and 83 percent more likely to use crack cocaine, than those in urban 
areas. It also reports that among 10th graders, use rates in rural 
areas exceed those in urban areas for every drug except marijuana and 
Ecstasy. The key here is that Ecstasy is not yet, but is quickly 
becoming a rural drug. It is imperative that parents and kids become 
aware of Ecstasy and the dangers of use.
  Unfortunately, Ecstasy is quickly becoming the drug of choice among 
many of our young people. It is perceived by many as harmless because 
negative effects are not immediately noticeable. In fact, Ecstasy is 
often referred to as a recreational drug. For this reason, it is not 
surprising that Monitoring the Future, an annual study that monitors 
illicit drug use among teenagers, reported Ecstasy use growing. 
Lifetime use among 12th graders increased from one in fifteen in 1998 
to one in twelve in 1999. Past year use went from one in twenty-five in 
1998 to one in fifteen in 1999. This is a disturbing upward trend.
  Ecstasy is a dangerous drug that can be lethal. Many are unaware that 
it can cause increased heart rate, nausea, fainting, chills, and sleep 
problems. In addition to physical effects, there are also psychological 
effects such as panic, confusion, anxiety, depression, and paranoia. 
Scientists are also learning that Ecstasy may cause irreversible brain 
damage, and in some cases it simply stops the heart. We need to put an 
end to the spread of Ecstasy into our communities. We need to take away 
its image as safe. We need to counter the arguments, that it is a fun 
drug.
  However, with recent reports of rises in Ecstasy seizures by the U.S. 
Customs Service, it seems we have a long, hard battle ahead of us. In 
fiscal year 1999, Customs seized 3 million doses of Ecstasy. In the 
first 5 months of fiscal year 2000, Customs seized 4 million doses. 
Ecstasy has become such a threat that Customs has established an 
Ecstasy Task Force to gather intelligence on criminal smuggling of 
Ecstasy. Customs has also trained 13 dogs to detect Ecstasy among those 
crossing the border and entering major airports.
  Although much is being done to stop the flow into our country, we 
need to play our part and educate the young people in our communities. 
In my home state of Iowa, Ecstasy is not yet a major problem and this 
may be the case in your home states as well. However, I am here today 
to tell you that if it isn't a problem now, it may be soon. We need to 
stop the use of Ecstasy before it starts. And the way to do that is to 
educate the parents and young people in our communities on the dangers. 
I don't want to see any more innocent lives cut short or careers ruined 
because of bad or no information.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 15 
minutes as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Feingold pertaining to the introduction of S. 
2463 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced 
Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. HELMS. I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to yield to 
the distinguished Senator from Oregon and that I follow him.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hutchinson). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I also ask unanimous consent that I follow 
the Senator from North Carolina.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, before I begin I want to thank Chairman 
Helms for his courtesy. There is no Senator more gracious. I 
particularly appreciate the Senator giving me the opportunity to speak 
today at this time.

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