Imagine rushing your best friend to the emergency room, notknowing why she won't wake up. You are doing everything in yourpower to get her to at least squeeze your hand.
She begins to shake, then she begins to shake faster and faster,and all of a sudden, she stops. She doesn't breath anymore, nordoes she open her eyes. The paramedics and nurses take your friendaway for hours.
The doctor comes out of the emergency room and walks your wayand says to you, "I'm sorry, but your friend died from a heatstrokethat was caused by taking the drug ecstasy."
When University of Memphis junior Amanda heard those words, sheknew it could have been her instead of her best friend Mandy.
"I couldn't believe that I was standing in the waiting room andhearing the doctor tell me that my best friend is dead, thebeautiful girl that I grew up with," Amanda said. "I had to callher mother and tell her that her only daughter died because we tookecstasy -- it was a nightmare that came true."
Amanda and Mandy went to the same schools since elementary anddid everything together until they graduated from high school andparted ways, having received different scholarships to differentschools.
Last year, Mandy invited Amanda to visit her during spring breakat the college she attended. Amanda had never visited California,so she said yes.
"I was excited to see Mandy because I only talked to her on thephone and through e-mails, and when I had the opportunity to seeher, I couldn't wait," the U of M marketing major said.
During that spring break visit, Amanda stayed with Mandy andfound out Mandy was depressed, but didn't know why.
"I asked her why she was so depressed, but she continued to saythat it was just school and she was homesick," Amanda said. "Butduring that day she said she was better, because we are togetheragain and she would relieve her stress that weekend."
Amanda and Mandy went to a house party with Mandy's friends fromher college, and they began to drink.
Amanda said that an hour later, Mandy asked her if she wantedsome "E," and then they both took it.
"Everybody was doing fine, but within three hours Mandy wasdancing non-stop, then she started talking fast and then she passedout," Amanda said. "And that is when we took her to thehospital."
Ecstasy is known as MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or "E,"and it belongs to a family of drugs called entactongens, whichmeans "touching within."
MDMA is a drug that produces a relaxed, euphoric state, but doesnot produce hallucinations.
"E" is swallowed as a tablet or capsule, and it takes effect in20 to 40 minutes. Users may feel enhanced sensations of variouskinds, including feeling emotional and needy. The effects ofecstasy subside after three to five hours.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse Web site, "E"is not physically addictive. However, the drug can often take ongreat importance in people's lives, and some people becomecompulsive in their use.
If it is taken too frequently, MDMA loses its specialeffects.
MDMA releases the brain-chemical serotonin, elevating mood andacting as a short-term antidepressant. Compulsive users may beunconsciously trying to self-medicate for depression.
Amanda has learned a lot about the drug, not only because of thedeath of Mandy, but because she was also a user of "E" thatnight.
"I had to learn about the drug so I can stop taking it," Amandasaid. "For those that don't know the 411 on "E" or take it, theyshould know that there are more problems to "E" than they maythink."
There are psychological difficulties including confusion,depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety andparanoia.
Physical symptoms include muscle tension, involuntaryteeth-clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement,faintness, chills or sweating.
It also increases heart rate and blood pressure, a special riskfor people with circulatory or heart disease.
It has been a year since the death of Mandy, but Amanda doesn'tforget that night or her best friend.
"Everyday it haunts me. She still could be here right now if Ihad told her no, but I took it myself and I feel like I wasn't afriend because she was with me," Amanda said. "But I have to go byher grave at least once a month, especially on her birthday inJune."
Amanda bent over to place seven purple tulips on Mandy's graveon March 17. As she blew a kiss toward her friend's grave, a tearran down her cheek. She stepped back and realized her friend willnever return, and they will never be able to live their livestogether.
"Ecstasy, E, X or whatever you may call it -- it is a dangerousdrug," Amanda said. "It's not worth losing your life or watchingyour friend lose her or his life. You may say, 'I will take it onetime' or 'I have taken it, and nothing happened,' but the next timemay be your last, literally."
