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The dangers of ecstasy - from dental problems due to teeth grinding, to panic attacks, convulsions and depression - will be highlighted as part of Health Day at The University of Western Australia next Tuesday.

The Public Health Ecstasy Task Force, a group of 4th and 5th year Health Science students, have created a health promotion campaign eSafe bSafe to target the student users of ecstasy.

"We aim to decrease the use of ecstasy among UWA students, as well as bust the myth that ecstasy is a "safe" drug," said PHET spokesman Brennen Mills.

The 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that 22 per cent of people aged 20-29 are likely to experiment with ecstasy at some stage in their life.

"Ecstasy can be much more dangerous than most people realise," says Nicola Crisafio from the North Metro Community Drug Service.

"In the short term people can suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, urinary retention, convulsions and muscle meltdown," Ms Crisafio said.  "Long term effects include depression, psychosis and dental problems from persistent teeth grinding."

PHET does not encourage the use of ecstasy, however eSafe bSafe will be providing information to students on what to do in an emergency, further developing the UWA Drug and Alcohol Policy, increasing educational material around campus and researching ecstasy use trends among students at UWA.

PHET will be running a stall on the Oak Lawn at UWA on Tuesday May 6, 2008 from 11am - 2pm as part of Health Day.  Music, games and free merchandise will be used to create a fun as well as educational atmosphere.  On Health Day the eSafe, bSafe campaign aims to increase awareness of harms associated with ecstasy use in an attempt to decrease usage of the drug in the student body.

Media references

Brennen Mills (Public Health Ecstasy Taskforce)  0401 929 547
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  61 8  6488 5563  /  0432 637 716