As ecstasy use increases throughout the nation, college-age residents of Charleston may be following the trend.

Tim Willis, special assistant state’s attorney, said that since December of 2000, when he began working in Charleston, he has seen charges for possession of ecstasy rise. In the last year, at least six charges have been filed against college-age persons for common possession of one to three ecstasy pills.

Ecstasy use nationwide has increased 20 percent this year and 71 percent over the last two years, Howard Simon, associate director of public affairs for the Partnership for a Drug Free America, said this week. At least 27 people have died from ingesting ecstasy since 1998 and the partnership has launched a new campaign aimed at reversing myths and misconceptions about the drug.

Willis said ecstasy use relates heavily to demographics in an area, making Charleston susceptible because of the number of college-age people who reside here. Because of the drug’s close links to raves and parties it is mostly used by college-age people.

Art Mitchell, university police officer, said Eastern hasn’t had any arrests for possession of ecstasy, “but that doesn’t mean it isn’t here.”

“When you have a large population of college-age people, particularly in a mid western universe … with people from larger areas where the drug is more commonly available, some are likely to bring knowledge of the drug here,” Willis said.

While word of mouth among teens coins ecstasy as the “hug drug” and it is growing in popularity as a “club drug,” Simon said the facts about ecstasy contain serious deterrents.

Simon said, “One of the reasons we are paying attention to this drug … if you look at other drug usage everything else is down or holding steady. Even alcohol and tobacco use is holding steady,” Simon said.

“The problem is that this drug is marketed as a great high low risk drug with no down sides,” he said. “It’s easy to see why it’s increasing in popularity.”

No one knows the long term effects of ecstasy, but Simon said the drug does have hallucinogenic effects, and a there is a growing body of evidence that the drug may be addictive and neurotoxic, causing massive brain cell damage.

The Partnership for a Drug Free America’s campaign, which includes a series of television and radio commercials and newspaper advertisements about ecstasy education, is geared toward teens rather college students because statistics show that drug use starts during teenage years. Simon said if teenagers go through those years without using drugs, they are less likely to use drugs as young adults.

However, he said “there is no question there is ecstasy use at the college level.”

In addition to bearing adverse health risks, ecstasy also carries heavy criminal penalties for those charged with possession.

Willis said common possession of ecstasy is a class four felony, punishable by one to three years and prison and up to a $25,000 fine. Carrying any amount of ecstasy carries a felony charge and if charged, a college student will lose student aid.

Delivering, selling or possessing 20 to 30 ecstasy pills is a class one felony, which can result in four to 15 years in prison if charged. However, Willis said no one has been charged with a Class one felony in Charleston.

Willis said he supports efforts to educate people about the drug and its effects.

“I think this is going to continue to be a problem and any education programs keeping from people using this is going to be a good thing,” said Willis.