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New Drug Gains Popularity Among Teens

Experts warn "Molly" is a dangerous new twist on an old drug.

Written by KEYT Assignment Desk

Story Created: Dec 1, 2011 at 5:33 PM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 1, 2011 at 9:22 PM PDT

Doctors at a Santa Barbara addiction treatment center say it's a growing trend in teen drug use. This new drug is the purest form of an already popular street drug--Ecstasy.

Santa Barbara Psychiatrist, Sherif El-Asyouty, M.D., says, "it is so scary. The newer designer drugs that is coming our way."

Drug-dealers market "Molly" as the "purest" form of ecstasy.

"It sounds wholesome. Molly, the girl next door. In urban slang it means 'pure' MDMA," explains Dr. P. Joseph Frawley.

MDMA causes a rapid release of large amounts of the chemicals Serotonin and Dopamine in the brain for a period of four to six hours.

"You hit the jack pot of pleasure, so that's why they keep repeating it," says El-Asyouty.

Once the drug wears off the long term effects include severe depression or brain damage.

"It takes a long time to rebuild that.its very difficult to enjoy what you had in the past."

Doctors warn it is easy to come by, even available over the internet in some cases.

According to a recent survey at Syracuse University, of those surveyed, 50 percent of students had heard of "Molly." Of those, only 30 percent knew its effects. And, of those who'd tried the drug, only about 30 percent knew what they ingested.

Experts tell us, the best defense for parents is to be involved.

"I think you have to track your child, and its not even about quality time, its just about time,and really tracking and being interested, in their development," says Frawley.

El-Asyouty adds, "the rule of thumb, if the child is or teenager shows drastic changes, like he is sleepy all the time or more oppositional at times, its very important to be present in the child's life. Because if you are not present, you are not going to notice these things. According to local law enforcement and school district officials, the drug is present, although not widespread among the teen and young adult population in Santa Barbara County.
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