Antonovich Clarifies Position on Youth Ecstasy Use Education

In response to Patch’s story a representative from Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office called Patch to clarify the Supervisor’s position on the Ecstasy Harm Reduction Cards that were created by the L.A. County Department of Public Health and were meant to be distributed exclusively at raves.

“Abstinence has got to be the primary focus of our message,” said Tony Bell, a spokesperson for Antonovich’s office. “The only safe use of ecstasy is to not use it at all. The Health Department should [communicate] that message.”

Educating them on using the drug is stupid, educating them on the dangers of the drug is not,” said Bell.

The original Ecstasy Harm Reduction Card (pictured right) outlines what ecstasy is, what the effects are and how to minimize potential harms if a person takes it. The card provides “potentially life-saving information,” said the LADPH. It also includes the message that ecstasy is illegal and that it should be avoided.

Bell said that the cards implied that using ecstasy was OK. The Supervisor does not agree with the Department of Health counseling people on how to use to the drug.

The LADPH is revising the card per the Board of Supervisors' request.

Bell said that he and Antonovich agree that their main cause is to keep youth off of drugs.

Bell said that the cards left out important information about other dangers associated with ecstasy, such as loss of inhibitions and leaving users vulnerable to rape or unwanted pregnancies. Bell also said that since ecstasy is a street drug, there is no guarantee as to what chemicals it may contain.

The card is funded by rave promoters and was created by a task force made of city representatives, law enforcement, hospitals and rave promoters that gathered at the request of the Board of Supervisors in July 2010, after a 15-year-old girl died at a rave (or electronic music festival) at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena. The task force was partly formed to increase rave safety.

The card describes the effects of ecstasy as follows: "may include elevated mood and energy, enhanced sensations and a sense of emotional connectedness. Ecstasy also increases heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and muscle tension (like teeth grinding.)"

The card lists the drugs after-effects as depression, anxiety, irritability, muscle fatigue, insomnia and difficulty concentrating.

The card also provides ways for ecstasy users to minimize the drug’s harm. It advises users to take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and to not mix the drug with other substances. It also details signs of an overdose.

“Think it through and know the facts so you and your friends can make informed decisions and stay safe together,” the card states in large print.

The card concludes with the message “Stay away--the only way to completely avoid the risks is to avoid the drug, enjoy the music and dancing instead.”