A study, released today, carried out by forensic pathologists at Sheffield University, England found that long-term use of ecstasy can destroy the liver and damage the heart and brain.

Autopsies of seven young men who had died after taking ecstasy were found with "striking changes" in their livers, including large areas of dead tissue. The brains of three of them were also damaged, as were their hearts. Internal bleeding was found in the lungs of two and damage from loss of blood supply in the lungs of a third.

According to the forensic experts, all men had levels of ecstasy in their blood which indicated that ecstasy caused the damage. Three of the men collapsed at a rave, dance party or at a disco.

Ecstasy or MDMA (methylenedioxymethyl amphetamine) is a derivative of amphetamine.

HASSELA NORDIC NETWORK - Press release 13/02/96