Glenroy Sinclair and Petrina Francis, Gleaner Reporters

A shipment of Ecstasy tablets, with a street value of over $2 million, was intercepted earlier this week at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, shortly after it had arrived on a flight from Canada. The tablets were concealed among incoming cargo.

"Nine hundred and fifty of these tablets were found and we have since launched a major investigation," said Senior Superintendent of Police Carlton Wilson, when contacted yesterday.

Because of the sensitivity of the investigation, the narcotics chief declined to comment further on the find, but disclosed that his team of detectives was in the process of interrogating a number of persons.

Last December, SSP Wilson warned that this year, the narcotics police would be on the alert for Ecstasy and other gateway drugs because of the potentially large market on the island.

Medical experts say Ecstasy can destroy some of the body's organs. Ecstasy (methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) is an illegally manufactured variation of mescaline and amphetamine. Medical doctor, Alverston Bailey, said the drug causes hallucinations and improves mood.

$500-$1,000 a pill

Ecstasy is available in Jamaica and costs between $500 and $1,000 per pill.

Dr. Bailey, who is also the president of the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), pointed out that the drug is mainly used by young persons to create a euphoric mood, especially when they are involved in activities such as dancing and socialising.

The medical doctor told The Gleaner yesterday that the drug produces a euphoria that lasts for three to four hours. He noted however that, because the effects wear off quickly, persons who take the drug tend to experience a dysphoria and are therefore tempted to take more of the drug and overdose themselves.

According to Dr. Bailey, the drug is usually ingested as a tablet or can be snorted or injected.

The side effects of the drug include: dryness of the mouth, insomnia, nausea, sweating and tremors.

The MAJ president commented that the drug increases libido and, as such, individuals who take it, usually involve themselves in risky sexual behaviour, which leads to unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections among other things. Continuous use of ecstasy can also result in severe depression, liver and kidney damage.