Ecstasy vs. Binge Drinking

When examining the short term and long term effects of ecstasy and binge drinking it's hard to say which is the greater public concern. Ecstasy has many effects after use including "increases in heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills, sweating, and such psychological problems as confusion, depression, sleep problems, craving, severe anxiety, paranoia, and psychotic episodes" (http://www.watton.org/drugsinfo/aboutecstasy.shtml). It also destroys cells that produce serotonin in the brain which controls aggression, mood, sexual activity, sleep and sensitivity to pain. Long term use can cause both physical and psychological risks such as; incoherent speech, liver damage, double vision, depression, violent behavior, catatonic syndrome. Although ecstasy is a very dangerous drug I believe binge drinking to be the greater public concern. People are more likely, no matter what age, to get their hands on alcohol. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, "Almost half of Americans aged 12 or older reported being current drinkers of alcohol in the 2001 survey (48.3 percent). This translates to an estimated 109 million people. Both the rate of alcohol use and the number of drinkers increased from 2000, when 104 million, or 46.6 percent, of people aged 12 or older reported drinking in the past 30 days" (http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/facts.aspx?topic=159). Many more people and under aged people are getting their hands and consuming, binge drinking, alcohol. Not only is drinking dangerous at the time of consumption with vehicle crashes but it also has long term effects such as; liver damage, pancreatitis, certain cancers, and literal shrinkage of the brain. Alcohol is also said to be the second-leading cause of dementia. Alcohol consumption also leads to fatalities. According to the Alcohol Alert website, in 2006 there were 15,829 alcohol related fatalities.

Since the greatest amount of binge drinking occurs at colleges and universities the best plan would be to make strict regulations at that level. Limiting the availability and restricting the promotion of alcohol on and off campus, while promoting healthy activities, will help make the college experience a positive one. Some people argue that the drug testing in high school isn't doing anything. Starting at the high school level isn't going to totally clear out the drug use but it will help prevent it for the future classes. Middle school and elementary school students hear about the drug testing and are turned away from trying it in fear of getting drug tested. Making stronger regulations at the college level will work the same way for high school students. However, along with using fear and regulations to turn future generations away from drug use healthy activities and lifestyles need to be promoted.