Big jump in use of ecstasy

The Advertiser

More than 650,000 Australians have used ecstasy in the past year, with some users believing a pill is on par with a drink, a drug expert says.

Jennifer Johnston, a research fellow from the Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre in Melbourne, said the drug now was consumed by couples at home.

"We've got about 3.2 per cent of the Australian population who have used it in the last 12 months," she said.

"It's becoming such a widespread behaviour that we're going to see it (ecstasy use) across all types of people."

South Australian Democrats leader Sandra Kanck this month told Parliament there was no evidence ecstasy was a dangerous substance.