HOW XTC WORKS

The chemical formula for XTC is 3.4-Methylene-Dioxy-Methyl-

Amphetamine (MDMA). This substance was manufactured towards the end of the last century. During the fifties the US military industry unsuccesfully tried MDMA as a truth serum. After it was used by psychiatrists.

XTC starts to take effect after 20 to 60 minutes.

Then it has a maximum impact for one hour.

You experience a faint tingling throughout your body.

Sometimes you feel a stiffes in your arms, legs and jaws and your

mouth turns dry. Your pupils widen and your heart starts to beat faster.

You may feel nauseous. At first you may also feel short of breath (in that case a bit of fresh air will help). These types of physical reaction are usually not very strong. In addition to that you experience everything more intensely and you feel less inhibited. You feel clearheaded, relaxed and 'mellow'. You have a need for company, for conversation and reflection and also for mutual confidentiality. All this diminishes in the course of 4 to 6 hours. Afterwards you may feel tired and depressed.

This is of course a very general description. The mood you are in, the people you are with, your surroundings: all of these have an influence on the effect of XTC.

If your experience with a drug differ cosiderably from the above, you can be sure it was not XTC.

XTC: WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU BUING?

XTC comes in many shapes: in large and small capsules, in round and flat tablets and in many differents colours, such as pink, white, brown, etc.

From laboratory research on the XTC for sale in Holland we know that more and more often other substances are sold under the name of XTC. The first result showed that there was only genuine XTC about. Later LSD and XTC-related substances such as MDA came onto the market.

Fake pills and capsules, without any active substances, were found as well. Lately it is particularly amphetamine that is being sold as XTC. But there is also something the matter with real XTC. The research shows that there are many different doses in circulation, varying from 59 mg to 117 mg.

Since november 1988 XTC comes under the Opium Act. Therefore XTC is now an illegal substance. The production of XTC is increasingly falling into the hands of unscrupulous people. This explains why there are so many different doses about and why XTC-related products are available. The fact that more and more often amphetamine is being sold as XTC indicates that speed traffickers are taking advantage of the popularity of XTC. The buyer has no way of making sure that he is buing real XTC. Speed traffickers make clever use of this situation. Thus it turns out that many 'XTC-consumers' are actually taking speed without knowing it.

-The colour, the shape or the size of an XTC-tablet or -capsule says nothing abput its contents. You never know what you are buying.

-The effect of something that is supposedly XTC can vary considerably ad is therefore very risky.

-If the XTC does not have the same effect that you are used to, never use anything else on top of it.

-If the XTC proves to be not strong enough, dont'use a second dose; too much XTC is dangerous.

TAKING XTC

You don't need a higer dose of XTC each time to get the same effect, as is the case with alchol or speed. XTC is not addictive, but this does not mean that using it is not dangerous. For instance, when the dose is too large poisoning symptoms may occur, such as palpitations, muscle cramp, nausea and vomiting, but also panicking and hallucinations.

We know very little about the consequences of a prolonged use of XTC. There are indications that XTC damages parts of your brain. The fact that a depression may occur after the effect of XTC has worn off suggests that this is true.

XTC weakens your resistance: so you are more susceptible for the flu, colds and other types of infection. Just as with so many other drugs, women can do with a smaller dose than men to get the same effect. Since you never know how much XTC there is in a pill, this present an additional risk for women.

If you use XTC often and at short interval, the effect changes. You no longer feel a sense of well-being. Instead you get worked up, you feel worn out and you cannot sleep anymore.

Guidelines for a sensible of XTC:

-Take it at large intervals and save it for special occasions.Of course, everyone should decide for himself what is a special occasion.

For you it may be a night on the town, for some-one else it is a good talk with someone at home.

-Only use XTC when you are absolutely sure that the atmosphere is right.

-Make sure that you have nothing important scheduled for the following day.

XTC AND OTHER DRUGS

Because XTC has a fairly mild effect, it is tempting to combine it with other drugs. You should realize that in that case the effect of XTC is pushed aside. Drugs such as speed, cocaine and large amounts of coffee cause stress and make you feel worked up.

XTC can bring about a sense of inulnerability and make you feel you can take on the whole world. Alohol has the same effect.Using XTC together with alcohol may lead to recklessness.

To combine XTC with other drugs is a waste of money and bad for your health as well.

When you see that someone is getting into trouble, take him or her to a quiet and familiar place. Stay with them ad tryto make them feel at ease.

XTC

We advise against the use of XTC when you are suffering from a cardiovascular disease, diabetes, epilepsy, or high-blood pression. Also women who are - or want to become- pregnant should not use XTC. In general, you should not use XTC when you are on some sorte of medication.

Similarly, it is foolish to use XTC under emotional pressure, when you feel anxious stressed or troubled.

Do not take part in the traffic when you have used XTC.

COLOPHON

Compilation: Adviesbureau Drugs

August de Loor

Amsterdam

commissioned by: N- I-A-D

for further information, please contact:

Nederlands Instituut voor Alcohol en Drugs

Antwoordnummer 4055

2500 VB Utrecht

Questo č il testo di un opuscolo in cartoncino giallo, dal titolo 'XTC', scritto nero su giallo, a caratteri cubitali.

Preso tre anni fa in un negozio di abbigliamento di Amsterdam.

Uno strano opuscolo, distribuito insieme a inviti e biglietti per 'rave'.

Certo l'Olanda č all'avanguardia nelle campagne di prevenzione e lotta alla droga, ma questo opuscolo lascia un po' perplessi......