Ecstasy research hunt for past users

Jun 6 2007 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

PEOPLE who dabbled with ecstasy in their youth are being asked to take part in research.

Edge Hill University is involved in studies into the effects of ecstasy on memory and other mental processes.

It has been working on research since 2000 but to continue the groundbreaking work, they need users and former users.

Principal inves-tigator Dr Philip Murphy said: “There is still much we have to learn about the effects of drugs such as ecstasy and cannabis.

“For example, although we know that ecstasy impairs some aspects of memory performance, we still do not know how long these impairments may persist after use of the drug has been stopped. “With calls to revise drug laws on the basis of the potential harm they can do, it is vital that our research continues.”

Dr Murphy and his colleagues are looking for people between the ages of 18 and 30 who have had experience of using both ecstasy and cannabis, or cannabis without ecstasy.

At the end, volunteers will receive a £10 voucher to thank them.

Anybody interested in participating in this research at Edge Hill University should contact Dr Murphy in the Department of Social and Psycho-logical Sciences directly on 01695-584600 or by email on murphyp@edgehill. ac.uk