Ecstasy, other illegal drugs are lethal, public warned

Atablet of ecstasy could kill you. Such was the warning issued by Dr. Willie Ong, a well- known internist and cardiologist, following the death of the 26-year- old Solaire Resort and Casino assistant manager Edgel Joy Durolfo who allegedly took an ecstasy pill.

“There are many reports of deaths occuring after taking ecstasy,” Ong said yesterday, pointing out that the main cause of death associated with ecstasy is hyperthermia or high temperature and dehydration.

Supposedly, an ecstasy pill is composed of MDMA or methylenedioxy-methamphetamine. However, according to the doctor, many are found to be tampered and mixed with other lethal drugs.

“Many studies have been conducted on ecstasy. They show that young people have died from dehydration, exhaustion and heart attack as a result of taking too much ecstasy. Ecstasy can also cause kidney, liver and brain damage, including long- lasting lesions [ injuries] on brain tissue,” Ong added.

He also stressed that “even a small amount of ecstasy can be toxic enough to poison the nervous system and can cause irreparable damage.”

“Illegal drugs are essentially poisons. A small amount acts as a stimulant [which speeds you up]. A greater amount acts as a sedative [slows you down]. An even larger amount poisons and can kill,” he further stated.

Meanwhile, he said that the other short-term effects of ecstasy are impaired judgment, false sense of affection, confusion, depression, paranoia, sleep problems, drug cravings, muscle tension, and involuntary teeth clenching. (Charina Clarisse L. Echaluce)