At just $5 a pill, the drug promises a cheap and easy way to loosen up, but it nearly cost one Airdrie girl her life.

On May 1 at about midnight, Airdrie RCMP assisted Airdrie Emergency Services ( AES ) in an emergency response to a 17-yearold female who overdosed on methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( MDMA ), commonly known as ecstasy.

The teenager ingested four tablets in a relatively short period of time prior to attending a dance at George McDougall High School. The drug is often used before a party or dance, and causes users to lose their inhibitions. In this case the tablets were white and had the Transformers logo stamped on each of them.

"The individuals who manufacture these products gear them specifically to target children," said Airdrie RCMP Cst. Francine Hennelly.

"They have everything from the McDonald's logo to Nike and Lululemon."

AES and RCMP were contacted when the victim began to display symptoms consistent with an overdose. The girl was transported to a Calgary hospital in stable condition.

"The results of using this type of drug can be devastating," said Hennelly.

Recent incidents of ecstasy use and overdose have occurred near Edmonton, where three females recently died as a result of ingesting ecstasy. Two girls passed away after taking the drug on Paul Band First Nation, located 60 km west of Edmonton, and a third took the drug at West Edmonton Mall.

"Given the dosage of ecstasy that was taken in this incident, it is very fortunate that this female sought medical treatment and that her situation did not become life threatening," said Hennelly.

MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. It produces an energizing effect as well as feelings of euphoria, emotional warmth and distortions in time perception and tactile experiences.

"Although the drug may sound appealing, we are encouraging any teenager to have the confidence to say no to their peers," said Hennelly. "It takes courage and strength to say no but your safety depends on it."

MDMA can be dangerous to overall health and even lethal. MDMA can have many of the same side effects as other stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines. These include increased heart rate and blood pressure and other symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness and chills or sweating.

In high doses MDMA is much more dangerous. The drug can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature. In rare, but unpredictable occasions, this can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature ( hyperthermia ), which can result in liver, kidney and cardiovascular system failure and death. MDMA can interfere with its own metabolism ( breakdown within the body ); therefore potentially harmful levels can be reached through repeated use within a short period of time.

Hennelly encourages parents to educate themselves about drugs.

"Parents do your homework and be knowledgeable so you can provide your children with the right answers," she said.

"Know what to look for if your kids are using and be the parent with the open door policy so your kids can feel comfortable coming to you if they are faced with those tough decisions."

If you are a local teenager who needs help there are many resources available in Airdrie such as Community Links, Airdrie & District Victims Assistance Society, AADAC and the Children's Help Line.