Characteristics and social representation of ecstasy in Europe - Irefrea

With respect to the magazines of the critical line, the issues considered are:♦ Legal: controversy about the inclusion of ecstasy on the I list of the DEA,discussion about whether it is exaggerated, perhaps it could be in the samecategory as cannabis.,♦ Sociological: Environments of ecstasy consumption are described, although thereis a generalised impression that the expansion has been very wide and it iseverywhere: “Now you see your neighbour, the baker, the token smart-ass who,after having listened to Los Chichos, start dancing Chucupa, chucupá. Even thewaiter across the street purchased two pills the other day” (Cervera,1996).♦ The effects of ecstasy are discussed, as well as the reasons why it is so popular. Afraternity drug, it helps to stay awake and make good use of free time, it is a cleandrug as in the pill environments the junkie is rejected and it has nothing to do withmarginality; it activates the affective non sexual dimension, it is not addictive, etc.All of these aspects are questioned, the articles transmit a negative idea of ecstasy,in some cases even alarming, before the uncertainty surrounding thisphenomenon.♦ Some articles or reports contain interviews with “experts” or interviews withconsumers and night people.♦ One of the reports indicates the danger that the consumption of stimulants mayderive in the consumption of opiates to compensate the crash: “1.996: Socialacceleration, wild rivalry, unemployment, AIDS and a mixture of instantaneouscommunications. No one looks for anything else besides having a good timenowadays because this is our only aim. But how can we have a good time whenwe have lost the capacity for experience? Fortunately the week-end drugs haveappeared in order to help us, so that we don’t waste time, can gain intensity anddon’t fall sleep. And in the end, after thirty hours of madness and fun, and severalswallowed pills, the only thing that calms you down, the only thing that makes yousleepy is heroin” (Roberts, 1996).♦ Discussion about whether they are addictive or not; in general the question israised concerning the danger of intoxication and psychological dependence, as theyouths may not know how to have fun without consuming ecstasy “they create forthemselves a terrible incapacity to enjoy life. These people end up not enjoyingthemselves unless they are drugged. In the end they don’t like themselves withoutthe effects of amphetamines, and there is only one step from that state todepression” (Olazabal, 1996).The impression from this line is that the articles and reports in opinion magazinesare a reflection of the topics of debate among investigators, opinions regarding thereasons for the consumption of ecstasy (frantic life, etc.), its expansion, uncertaintyabout the future of the actual consumers, possible consequences, legal and medicaldebate, etc.The image of ecstasy is negative.177