ABSTRACT
Risk is comprised of two key elements: objective determinants and subjective determinants. General risk data suggests that risk perception can significantly influence youth to use or not use drugs. The potential harms of dehydration and overheating were the most common concerns among ecstasy-using youth. Many spoke of these potential dangers as significantly serious, potentially mortal, and not simply akin to dehydration associated with binge drinking. Depression is another risk widely perceived by youth who used ecstasy. Serotonin syndrome is a rare complication resulting from the use of a serotonergic agent such as ecstasy. The analyses of professional and folk models of risk have a number of implications for promoting health among ecstasy-using youth. Neurotoxicity, both acute and long-term, remains a primary concern of scientists and public health experts. Youth spoke of 'neurotoxicity' in a variety of ways without using the clinical language of neurotoxicity.
