child. Laws force parents to stand by and do nothing while their

child self-destructs. Why would the sensible teen of model parents who knows the risks of illegal drugs start using? The answers can be as varied as the individuals: To fit in. To blunt feelings of inadequacy. To avoid arguments and create a false sense of togetherness.

For years parents have cautioned their kids to avoid drugs. Schools have lectured our children on the evils of drugs, and brought in RCMP to inform both students and parents on the signs of drug-taking and the long-term physical harm drugs can do.

At $5 to $20 a tablet, ecstasy is an accessible drug affordable to teens. Odorless, the pills are easy to carry and to hide. The colourful tablets look like children's vitamins with patterns on them of Christmas trees, Bart Simpson, or some other harmless symbol.

But each pill is potentially a volatile cocktail of unknown substances produced in illegal drug labs funded by organized crime. The pills are a synthetic drug and may contain deadly substances. In 2007 RCMP analyzed a sampling of ecstasy seized from various areas. The study showed 72 per cent of the pills weren't ecstasy, but rather a fatal mixture of crystal meth.

Ecstasy acts on the central nervous system raising blood pressure, heart rate, and alertness. Users feel no need to sleep. They may sweat profusely but drink little water, until their organs shut down. They may suffer a heart attack or a stroke, or go into convulsions and stop breathing.

The drug releases massive amounts of serotonin and blocks re-uptake of the hormone. It boosts self-esteem and produces a feeling of euphoria. The high can last from six to eight hours, followed by depression, anger, headache, insomnia, even thoughts of suicide.

Users display rapid speech, darting eye movements, enlarged pupils, may appear shaky or unable to sit still, perform repetitive movements such as pulling hair or picking imaginary lint, and want to touch more than usual. That's why it is called the love drug.

Because they can't go to school or work while under the influence, they tend to binge on weekends or holidays. The drug can cause nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or constipation; they may not feel well and miss school or work.

Parents are advised to confront the user as a unified family, pointing out the user's inconsistent behaviour while reassuring the user of their love and caring. The user may lie, steal, break appointments, skip school or work, and repulse family. Expect the user to become angry, abusive, and transfer blame to the parents.

Nonetheless, family are advised to remain calm, say nothing hurtful, apply no pressure, make no judgments. In other words, be saintly.

If a user chooses to stop using ecstasy, they will need to be admitted to a care facility for five days of detoxification under the supervision of a nurse, then follow up with weeks of counselling.

As a first step to treatment, the user - as a form of commitment - must make an appointment to see a drug counselor who will complete an intake form to reserve a bed in Prince George's youth treatment center and make travel arrangements for the six hour trip.

Until age 19, treatment is free except for a counselling fee. Family pay for transportation to Prince George.

December 31 Terrace will lose its youth treatment centre, due to withdrawal of government funding.