FREE ESSAY ON LEGALIZING ECSTASY

LEGALIZING ECSTASY

Legalizing Ecstasy
Have you ever believed in something your entire life, only to come to terms that your
belief is miss-informed? Recently something like that happened to me. For a speech class
I had to do research on a popular drug called ecstasy, used at raves and underground
parties. My first take on the drug was that it was very unstable and that it could
eventually lead to death. Obviously you believe most stuff you read in the news, and so I
took the news to heart about ecstasy. The problem was that the source of my information
was really unsubstantiated rumor. I used to believe that all drugs were bad no matter
what but in fact, after extensive research on ecstasy, I discovered that there is
therapeutic value in that the drug helps patients of therapists open up more during
sessions. I believe the DEA should lift the ban it has placed on ecstasy.
Obviously you are taught from an early age that all drugs are bad and using them is only
for the bad and scary people of the world. But research has shed new light on the popular
drug ecstasy. Ecstasy was developed and patented in the early 1900's, but it wasn't until
the 1970's that it came in to the hands of a therapist. About to retire from a life long
career in therapy, he was convinced by a friend to try the drug. The following day he
abandoned his plans of retirement and went on the road, touring the United States,
introducing this new drug to therapists. During this time he spoke to over 4000
therapists and convinced them to at least try the new experimental drug. Almost all of
them decided that it was of use and started implementing it in their sessions. At this
time there was no consequence for using or possessing the drug. It wasn't until 1985 that
the DEA got word of this new drug and put it into a Schedule 1 category ban, the category
for non-medicinal and non-researchable drugs. Use of ecstasy all but disappeared in the
U.S., until recently. In the last ten years use of ecstasy has begun to show up again,
mostly on college campuses and at underground rave parties. Although the drug is still
banned, therapists have also begun to use ecstasy again on willing patients. With the
euphoric like effects of the drug it makes a person open up.
The way the drug works is really very simple. After Ingestion the drug enters the blood
stream on a direct course to the brain. Ecstasy targets Axon cells. Axon cells contain
the chemical Seratonin, a chemical that controls your mood and body temperature. Ecstasy
focuses the Axon cells to release Seratonin, flooding the brain. With increased Seratonin
in the brain, it causes euphoria and extreme happiness. Sensations become brighter and
more intense, making users feel a sense of belonging and a sense of carrying no shame
from past events. With the openness amongst users, it is very easy to speak freely about
sensitive episodes in people's lives. But what other things will this drug make me do or
feel?
Common short-term side effects that accompany the drug are eye twitching, restlessness,
nausea and headaches. Long-term side effects have only been found in chronic users. These
effects could include restlessness and slight memory loss. But who doesn't lose a little
bit of memory in the late years of life? Any of these effects can be found in minor
prescription drugs and most over the counter drugs. Sacrificing the side effects, for the
legalization of this drug, could prove to be useful. Eventually Ecstasy could be used as
a common medication to cure depression. Losing your job, losing your love or even just
being in a dull mood could all be cured for 8 hours, using Ecstasy. It could
revolutionize the industry and replace the very expensive Prozac, another anti-depression
medicine. Scientific evidence has not been able to prove that ecstasy is dangerous or
physically addicting. Although Ecstasy could cause users to want to repeat the experience
there is no physical addiction.
The reason this drug strikes me as so useful is that my family is full of manic
depressants, and those that attend psychiatrist's sessions on a regular basis. Many of my
family members use Prozac regularly and rely heavily on its power. But, one common
complaint I hear among family members is that they are unable to open up during therapy
sessions. They feel intimidated to open up over tough issues in their lives. I believe
that if Ecstasy use were implemented, it would carry an enormous amount of improvement.
Opening up more may also give insight on how to naturally cure depression, without the
use of ecstasy. But there is problems getting ecstasy legalized.
Ecstasy is still under a Schedule 1 ban, a group that carries the highest penalties for
possession and dealing. Even today, Ecstasy users are still prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. For this ban to be lifted there is a few things that would need to be
done. A medical group would have to come along and convince the DEA that ecstasy is not
as harmful as originally thought. If the DEA moved Ecstasy into a Schedule 2 category it
would be legal for medicinal research to be done, but only on animals, not humans. Lab
tests would need to be set up and results most likely would come after 3 years of
research. Already, at this point, a lot of money has been spent. But, if the medical
group can prove that Ecstasy's positive effects outweigh its negative effects, than the
DEA may lift the ban.
Hoping for abolishing the ban any time soon is pretty much impossible. With the way the
DEA and Government works, research would be challenged legally and most likely stopped
before it ever started. The budget would have to be extensive, which, this day and age,
is becoming harder and harder to find. Most investors are very hesitant to go against
super powers like the DEA and the government. We can only hope that sometime in the near
future people will begin to open their eyes to new and experimental drugs. After all,
we're not going to find the cure for Aids or Cancer if we ban every new drug before they
can be thoroughly tested.