Drugs: Ecstasy users suffer depression

Nearly three-quarters of ecstasy users feel they are suffering long-term negative consequences of their behaviour, with the most frequent complaints being depression and loss of concentration.

According to a survey of nearly 500 long-term regular users - defined as those who have used the drug at least once every two months for two years or more - found that people over 30 are more likely to get feelings of depression, and a third link this to their ecstasy use.

In a separate survey, doctors in accident and emergency departments said that ecstasy has now become the second most common drug in terms of patients presenting adverse reactions to illegal substances.

Practically all of the users interviewed for BBC Radio 5 Live's Young Britain season said that they had at some point taken ecstasy with another drug. Six out of 10 said they always mixed ecstasy with another drug, the most common being amphetamines, cannabis, alcohol and LSD. And despite the fact that three-quarters of all ecstasy users owned up to concerns about ecstasy's long-term effects, only one in 20 said they would not take the drug again.