Question 1: What is Ecstasy?
Drug Name: Ecstasy
Street names/Other names: MDMA, Molly, Love drug, candy, caps
Ecstasy is an illegal made drug that acts as a stimulant or a mild hallucinogen. This is used to boost energy and physical sensations. It also creates feelings of love, happiness and closeness to others.
Question 2: What does it look like
Ecstasy looks like these pills that are all different colours and shapes.
How is it used? Ecstasy is used by swallowing like it is a normal pill you would take for pain.
Question 3: What makes teens want to use drugs?
- Peer Pressure – Interpersonal
- Curiosity – Personal
- Online/social media – Societal
- Family do it – Interpersonal
- To escape from reality – Personal
- Easy access (like school or Neighborhood) – societal
Question 4: Positives and Negatives
Positive: Short term
- Feeling intense happieness/ euphoria – Personal
- Feeling a strong sense of empathy closeness and warmth toward others – Interpersonal
- Increased feelings of connection, solidarity and harmony within community – Societal
Positive: Long term
- Improved ability to process deep emotional breakthroughs – Personal
- Reduced feelings of social isolation and long term sense of belonging – Interpersonal
- New avenues for scientific research, mental health treatments, and psychiatric breakthroughs. – Societal
Negative: Short term
- Severe dehydration, dangerous overheating – Personal
- Severe mood drops, anxiety during the comedown – Interpersonal
- Higher risk of drug-facilitated accidents, injuries, or unsafe BEHAVIOR in public areas – Societal
Negative: Long term
- Severe memory loss and confusion – Personal
- Breakdown of trust, neglect of domestic duties, and domestic conflict – Interpersonal
- Increased crime rates, higher costs for law ENFORCEMENT, and courts – Societal
When these different impacts happen, they completely roll into one another. For example, if you experience severe dehydration and overheating (physical), it drains your body, which directly triggers a massive mood drop and anxiety during the comedown (mental and emotional). Because you are feeling so anxious and miserable inside, it becomes way harder to communicate, leading to a breakdown of trust and conflict with your family and friends (interpersonal). Ultimately, when individual relationships start breaking down like this, it ripples out into the community, leading to broader issues like neglect of duties and higher crime rates (societal).
Question 5: Laws and Penalties
- Possession or use: Up to 3 months in prison and/or a $500 fine (If it is a minors first offense it could be a fine or warning of prison time)
- Manufacturing, Importing, or Supplying (Dealing): Up to 14 years in prison.
- Presumption of Supply: If you are caught with 5 grams or 100 pills/capsules of ecstasy, the law automatically assumes you are a dealer unless you can prove otherwise.
Question 6: How to keep safe around Ecstasy
- Handling Peer Pressure: It is completely ok to say ‘No’ or ‘not my thing’ or an excuse like having a game or practice the next day if there if pressure from others.
- Monitoring Beverages: Keeping an eye on drinks (like water, soda or more) ensures that no one can place anything inside them unnoticed.
- Staying together: Remaining with a trusted friend group helps to ensure everyone looks out for one another. A friend should never be left alone if they appear unwell.
- Seeking Immediate Emergency Medical Care: If someone ingests the substance and exhibits dangerous symptoms like vomiting, confusion, or passing out, calling emergency services right away is critical. Safety and health are the priority, and getting medical help immediately can save a life.
Question 7: Decision Making
Scenario: It is the start of interval; you receive a text. The text is from your friend. Your friend tells you to meet them at the back of the field to use (insert your drug) with them.
- Option 1: Go to the back of the field and use the drug with your friend.
- Option 2: Say no and don’t go (either make an excuse or tell the truth).
- Option 3: Try to convince your friend not to do it either and hang out somewhere else.
Question 7: Decision Making – Option 1
Consequences:
Positive: You fit in, avoid social awkwardness, and keep your friend happy in the short term.
Negative: You risk getting caught by teachers, getting suspended, or getting in trouble with your parents. It can also harm your health and get you addicted.
Feelings:
Positives: You might feel relieved, accepted, or like you belong.
Negatives: You will likely feel paranoid about getting caught, guilty for breaking rules, and stressed about your health.
Question 7: Decision Making – Option 2
Consequences:
Positive: You stay safe, keep your school record clean, protect your body, and avoid getting into trouble.
Negative: Your friend might get mad, call you names, or make you feel left out.
Feelings:
Positive: You feel proud, safe, in control and relieved
Negative: You might feel lonely, anxious about your friendship, or sad that your friend is upset with you.
Question 7: Decision Making – Option 3
Consequences:
Positive: You look out for your friend’s safety, protect yourself, and potentially keep both of you out of serious trouble.
Negative: Your friend might react badly, think you are acting like a parent/teacher, and push you away.
Feelings:
Positives: You feel loyal, helpful, and responsible.
Negatives: You might feel frustrated, rejected, or disappointed if they don’t listen.
Question 7: Decision Making – best option
The best option to take is Option 2 (Saying no and not going), or Option 3 if you can safely convince them to stop. Choosing to walk away and not use the drug is the best decision for Hauora (the 4 areas of wellbeing):
Question 7: Decision Making – 4 areas of wellbeing
Physical Wellbeing (Taha Tinana): Your body stays completely healthy and safe. You avoid the harmful chemical effects of the drug, protect your brain development, and don’t risk getting hurt or sick.
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing (Taha Hinengaro): You get peace of mind. You won’t have to deal with the intense anxiety, paranoia, or guilt of hiding a secret from teachers and parents. You will feel strong and confident for standing up for yourself.
Social Wellbeing (Taha Whānau): You protect your long-term relationships. Even if that one friend is temporarily annoyed, you maintain the trust of your family, teachers, and other peers who value good choices. True friends won’t pressure you into dangerous things.
Spiritual Wellbeing (Taha Wairua): You stay true to your own values and identity. Saying no shows you know what is right and wrong. It builds your self-worth because you are making decisions that align with who you want to be, rather than just following the crowd.