IELTS Academic Reading Practice - 126 - The Danger Of Ecstasy
The Danger Of Ecstasy
Use of the illegal drug named Ecstasy
(MDMA) has increased alarmingly in Britain over the last few years, and
in 1992 the British Medical Journal claimed that at least seven deaths
and many s,evere adverse reactions have followed its use as a dance
drug. 14 deaths have so far been attributed to the drug in Britain,
although it is possible that other drugs contributed to some of those
deaths. While it is true that all drugs by their very nature change the
way in which the body reacts to its environment and are therefore
potentially dangerous, it is still unclear whether casual use of Ecstasy
is as dangerous as authorities believe. What is certain is that the
drug causes distinct changes to the body which, unless understood, may
lead to fatal complications in certain circumstances.
In almost all cases of
MDMA-related deaths in Britain, overheating of the body and inadequate
replacement of fluids have been noted as the primary causes of death.
Yet in the United States, studies appear to implicate other causes since
no deaths from overheating have yet been reported. It seems that normal
healthy people are unlikely to die as a result of taking MDMA, but
people with pre-existing conditions such as a weak heart or asthma may
react in extreme ways and are well-advised not to take it.
Not all physical problems associated
with the drug are immediate. Medium term and long term effects have been
reported which are quite disturbing, yet not all are conclusively
linked to the drug's use. Medium term effects include the possibility of
contracting the liver disease hepatitis, or risking damage to the
kidneys. However, animal studies show no such damage (although it is
readily admitted by researchers that animal studies are far from
conclusive since humans react in different ways than rats and monkeys to
the drug), and cases of human liver or kidney damage have so far only
been reported in Britain. Nonetheless, evidence to date suggests that
alcohol and Ecstasy taken at the same time may result in lasting harm to
bodily organs.
Evidence that MDMA causes long term cellular
damage to the brain has, until recently, been based on experiments with
animals alone; the most common method of detection is to cut out a
section of the brain, and measure the level of the chemical serotonin.
This is performed weeks or
months after use of a suspect drug. If the serotonin level, which is lowered as a result of the use of many drugs, fails to return to normal, then it is probable that the drug in question has caused damage to the cells of that part of the brain. Ecstasy has been implicated in causing brain damage in this way, but in most cases the serotonin level returns to normal, albeit after a long time.
months after use of a suspect drug. If the serotonin level, which is lowered as a result of the use of many drugs, fails to return to normal, then it is probable that the drug in question has caused damage to the cells of that part of the brain. Ecstasy has been implicated in causing brain damage in this way, but in most cases the serotonin level returns to normal, albeit after a long time.
Early experiments with monkeys, in
which they were found to have permanent brain damage as a result of
being administered MDMA, were used to link brain damage in humans to
Ecstasy use.
These early concerns led to the drug being classified as extremely dangerous,
and although the results of the research were doubted by some and criticized as invalid, no attempt was made to change the classification.
However, the latest available data regarding permanent brain damage in
humans who have taken Ecstasy regularly over many years (as little as
once a week for four years) seem to justify the cautious approach taken
in the past. The psychological effects of taking Ecstasy are also a
major cause for concern. It is clear that the mind is more readily
damaged by the drug than is the body. It is not difficult to find
occasional or regular users of the drug who will admit to suffering
mental damage as a result. Paranoia, depression, loss of motivation and
desire, bouts of mania - all are common, and not unusual side
effects of the drug.
These early concerns led to the drug being classified as extremely dangerous,
and although the results of the research were doubted by some and criticized as invalid, no attempt was made to change the classification.
However, the latest available data regarding permanent brain damage in
humans who have taken Ecstasy regularly over many years (as little as
once a week for four years) seem to justify the cautious approach taken
in the past. The psychological effects of taking Ecstasy are also a
major cause for concern. It is clear that the mind is more readily
damaged by the drug than is the body. It is not difficult to find
occasional or regular users of the drug who will admit to suffering
mental damage as a result. Paranoia, depression, loss of motivation and
desire, bouts of mania - all are common, and not unusual side
effects of the drug.
To be fair to those who claim that Ecstasy
frees the personality by removing one's defenses against psychological
attack, it is true that the drug can be liberating for some users.
Unfortunately, the experience is likely to be short-lived, and there is
always the danger is that one's normal life might seem dull by
comparison. .*
Perhaps the most damning evidence
urging against the use of Ecstasy is that it is undoubtedly an addictive
substance, but one that quickly loses its ability to transport the
mind, while it increases its effect upon the body. Yet, unlike the
classic addictive drugs, heroin, opium, morphine and so on, Ecstasy does
not produce physical withdrawal symptoms. In fact, because one becomes
quickly tolerant of its effect on the mind, it is necessary to forgo its
use for a while in order to experience again its full effect. Any
substance which produces such a strong effect on the user should be
treated with appropriate respect and caution.
You are advised to spend about 10 minutes on Questions 32 - 35.
Refer to Reading Passage 126 "The Dangers of Ecstasy", and decide which of the answers best completes the following sentences.
Write your answers in boxes 32 - 35 on your Answer Sheet.
The first one has been done for you as an example.
Example: In recent years, use of the illegal drug Ecstasy in Britain:
a) has increased
b) has decreased alarmingly
c) has decreased
d) has increased a little
a) has increased
b) has decreased alarmingly
c) has decreased
d) has increased a little
Q32. It is not known whether:
a) drugs change the way the body reacts
b) the British Medical Journal has reported seven deaths caused Ecstasy
c) Ecstasy alone was responsible for the 14 deaths in Britain
d) Ecstasy causes changes to the body
a) drugs change the way the body reacts
b) the British Medical Journal has reported seven deaths caused Ecstasy
c) Ecstasy alone was responsible for the 14 deaths in Britain
d) Ecstasy causes changes to the body
Q33. The use of Ecstasy:
a) is usually fatal
b) is less dangerous than the authorities believe
c) is harmless when used as a dance drug
d) none of the above
a) is usually fatal
b) is less dangerous than the authorities believe
c) is harmless when used as a dance drug
d) none of the above
Q34. Deaths from Ecstasy are sometimes caused by:
a) people with pre-existing conditions
b) too much fluid in the body
c) overheating of the body
d) all of the above
a) people with pre-existing conditions
b) too much fluid in the body
c) overheating of the body
d) all of the above
Q35. MDMA studies conducted on animals:
a) show damage to the kidneys
b) cannot provide absolute proof of the effect of the drug on humans
c) are cruel and have been discontinued
d) have yet to indicate long term brain damage
a) show damage to the kidneys
b) cannot provide absolute proof of the effect of the drug on humans
c) are cruel and have been discontinued
d) have yet to indicate long term brain damage
Questions 36 - 40
Using information from Reading Passage 126, complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. Write your answers in boxes 36 - 40 on your Answer Sheet.
Using information from Reading Passage 126, complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. Write your answers in boxes 36 - 40 on your Answer Sheet.
Q36. Permanent damage to the body may result if Ecstasy is taken simultaneously with
Q37. Cellular damage to the brain is detected by measuring the amount of
Q38. The serotonin level of Ecstasy users takes a long time to
Q39. One of the positive effects of taking Ecstasy is that it can
Q40. Ecstacy produces no withdrawal symptoms even though it is
Q37. Cellular damage to the brain is detected by measuring the amount of
Q38. The serotonin level of Ecstasy users takes a long time to
Q39. One of the positive effects of taking Ecstasy is that it can
Q40. Ecstacy produces no withdrawal symptoms even though it is
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