Abuse of prescription drugs including opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants can alter the brains activity and lead to addiction.
Aside from serotonin, Ecstasy also affects another chemical in the brain known as norepinephrine which may cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Currently in the United States, there is very little funding for overdose prevention; unfortunately, the overdose epidemic continues to escalate as the federal grants for these types of preventative programs are not being approved for funding.
In some areas, crystal meth is being used more than ecstasy as the drug of choice among teenagers and young adults on the rave and dance scene.
During 2008, illicit use of prescription opioids was the second most abused drug in Americans 12 years of age or older following marijuana.