We all know about the dangerous impacts of alcohol and marijuana. But now there's another drug that's presenting a serious public health threat. This drug is popularly known as "ecstasy."

What concerns me as chair of the Seattle-King County Board of Health is the apparent perception among teens and young adults that ecstasy is harmless. A simple fact refutes this misperception: there has been a sharp increase in emergency room visits to Harborview and other local hospitals because of ecstasy use. Side effects can include an increased heart rate, nausea, higher blood pressure, fever, and chills. The drug can also cause long-term memory loss and brain damage. In some cases, ecstasy can even be fatal.

The Department of Public Health is working with schools to provide information to counselors on the effects of ecstasy. There are also excellent resources locally, including Northshore Youth and Family Services.

We must all be proactive on this issue. We must communicate with our kids to help them understand just how dangerous ecstasy can be.

- CAROLYN EDMONDS, King County Council, 296-1001