E for empty

Science World, Feb 7, 2003

Objective:

Daniel's story will help students understand the physical, mental, and emotional effects of ecstasy abuse.

Discussion Questions:

Drug addiction may be defined as a compulsion to take drugs, even in the face of extremely negative consequences. Would you say that Daniel was addicted to ecstasy? Why or why not?

Daniel says that he started taking drugs so he "didn't have to be alone." What are some positive alternatives to drug use for someone who is feeling alone?

What kinds of negative effects does Daniel still feel from his past drug use? Can these effects be explained in terms of how ecstasy acts on the brain? Explain your answer.

Activity:

Use the following activity to enhance reading comprehension and critical-thinking skills:

Drug use turned Daniel's life upside-down. His story is full of statements demonstrating that the "positive" effects sought by drug users are ultimately false. See if your students can pinpoint some of the contradictions inherent in Daniel's story, or draw their attention to the following quotations:

   "I did drugs so I didn't have to feel alone."
   "I ended up completely alone."

   "I felt a sense of power."
   "I lay down and couldn't lift my head."

   "I didn't see anything wrong with the way I was acting."
   "I saw lives being destroyed because of what I was doing."

   "I felt like a movie star."
   "My teeth were rotting out."

Ask students to choose one of these pairs of quotations. Have them write a paragraph reflecting on how the statements show that ecstasy use had the opposite effect on Daniel's life from what he was seeking when he took the drug.

Resources:

A Web site from the National Institute on Drug Abuse devoted to information on ecstasy, methamphetamine, GHB, ketamine, and other drugs associated with the young-adult "rave" scene: www.clubdrugs.org

In the Mix, the award-winning PBS series for teens, will air an episode on ecstasy the week of February 8-16. Check local listings or inthemix.org for exact times. For true teen stories, a quiz, recommended reading, and more, visit the episode's companion site at www.inthemix.org/ecstasy_index.html