Pubdate: Wed, 23 Aug 2000
Source: Daily Press, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2000 Daily Press (CN ON)
Contact:  187 Cedar Street South, Timmins, Ontario, Canada P4N 7G1
Fax: (705) 268-7373
Website: http://www.timminspress.com/

DESIGNER DRUG ECSTACY STARTING TO POP UP IN TIMMINS

The designer drug ecstacy has been in Timmins on occasions, but on a lower 
scale than other cities throughout the province.

We do get an influx (of ecstacy) to some degree, but then it disappears, 
Const. Joseph Romualdi, investigator with the Timmins Police Service drug 
enforcement unit, said Tuesday.

He said there havent been any local seizures of the drug, which is also 
known on the street as E, X, Adam, Love Doves and MDA.

Ecstacy is a club drug that alters a number of brain chemicals including 
serotonin, which affects many functions, and increases heart rate and blood 
pressure.

Its a party drug it keeps people more alert. It gives them more energy and 
keeps them awake, Romualdi said.

Like many other drugs, there are dangers when mixing it or taking it in 
extensive amounts.

People are taking too much of it and taking it with other stimulants such 
as alcohol, causing  heart failure, Romualdi added.

Tuesday, police in Toronto and Montreal announced the biggest seizure of 
ecstasy in Canadian history. Canada Customs officials working in Montreals 
marine unit and RCMP officers seized 340,000 of the illegal pills, with a 
street value estimated at $11 million, the RCMP said.
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