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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D