OK, is this really an issue?

[Occhidiangela]

-snip-
The day aliens decide to attack us we'll have half a million teens with no stamina and bad hygiene ready to kick some extra terrestial ass!  Just give them some extacy, telling them it's a "powerup", and hopefully they'll have the energy to last through the day[right][snapback]72244[/snapback][/right]

Don't forget to first equip them all with Gauss rifles . . . :P

No, seriously, this is pure hogwash. Today it's the videogames, a few years back it was the action movies, before that it was the cartoons and comics and it all started with rock'n'roll.  How come nobody gets all violent over rock music or comics anymore?

Did you miss the long running public debate about Gangsta Rap? Your reference to rock 'n roll as a tool of evil reminds me, tangentially, of an Elton John lyric circa 1972.

"The minds of our daughters are poisoned by you
With your Communistic politics and your
Negro blues!"
(Album: Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player; Song Texas Lullaby)

Yes, the usual complaints against the entertainment industry. Let's add the hand wringing about "TV drama violence," specifically the graphic depictions in prime time TV shows. As for soft core porn, the Soaps keep getting racier and racier . . .

Sorry, I can't let this go. "extasy?"

The drug's name is based on a real word in the English language. "Ecstasy."
I wonder at its appeal to young men and women, if they bother to be educated recreational drug users . . . yeah, I know, the lack of thinking is a part of the fun . . .

The risks: (from This nice informative site) My comments in italics.

As the drug kicks in, users may experience an initial rush of nervousness, and uncertainty, a tightening of the jaw, increase heart rate, sweating, and nausea. This is sometimes known as 'coming up'.
( Coming up, like my lunch when I hear Gore Vidal speak on CSPAN? At any rate, this symptom sounds like the heavy drinker's, or peyote fan's, "after the first puke, hey, what a great time I had!")

Some users have reported a bad experience on ecstasy, including feelings of paranoia and confusion.
(Some people have reported a bad experience on April 15th, including feelings of paranoia and confusion.)

Much depends on the content of the drug and the user's state of mind at the time.
Sounds like the old LSD deal about "good trips" and "bad trips."

Ecstasy effects the body's thermostat.
(Rectal or oral? Whoops, bad caffeine, not thermometer, thermostat.)

Dancing for long periods in a hot place such as a club increases the chances of users overheating and/or dehydrating (see below for advice).
Dancing for long periods at a hot pace in an ultra-aerobics class can lead to overheating or dehydration. PS: Yes, I am aware that E has some weird effects on a body's natural coolig systems. We lost one of our sailors back in the early 90's to his body's breakdown after a weekend of raving, E, and making a series of bad decisions. That is when I first learned about E . . . :(

Taking ecstasy may leave women susceptible to cystitis and thrush. So, birds attack women more frequently when they are on E? oops, this thrush: Not a bird in the hand, nor in the bush, so to speak . . . Cystitis, an equal opportunity irritator . . .

Men report difficulties in attaining an erection or orgasm while on ecstasy.
OK, let me get this straight, though not while on E of course! :P I am mentally wrestling with why guys want to use E when they go clubbing, in search of hotties. *scratches head*

After the effects have subsided, users can feel tired and depressed for days.
After paying taxes, citizens can feel tired and depressed for days . . .

There is some debate into to the long term psychological effects of ecstasy use, including links to possible brain damage.
There is some debate regarding the long term effects of caffeine abuse, to include sanity loss . . . GET 'EM OFFA ME!

Cheers

Occhi