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Young Queenslanders would be safer if they swore off binge drinking and instead consumed a small amount of ecstasy, a prominent researcher at Queensland's Alcohol and Drug Research Centre (QADREC) says.

In the wake of new data which shows more young Queenslanders are switching to ecstasy following the Rudd Government's 70 per cent tax hike on alcopops, QADREC director Professor Jake Najman said ecstasy was actually a "lesser evil" than binge drinking.

However, the statement brought a stinging rebuke from another researcher, who cited the 1995 death of Sydney schoolgirl Anna Wood after she took an ecstasy pill at a dance party.

Professor Najman, who has a PhD in Social Epidemiology and a Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Medical Sociology, said ecstasy was "relatively benign if taken in small quantities".

"When young people switch from a substantial amount of alcohol to a small amount of ecstasy ... I don't think that's a bad trade at all," Professor Najman said.

"It is not likely that one pill on a Saturday night poses the same dangers as frequent binge drinking."

Illicit drug use is associated with around 1000 deaths per year in Australia. However, Professor Najman said ecstasy was actually "cheaper and safer" for young people than excessive amounts of alcohol.

"Even drug-related problems, including psychotic episodes and violent behaviour are not seen with ecstasy, as they are with amphetamines and alcohol," he said.

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mickdawg666 said:

I don't think the researcher is taking into account possible long term effects of ecstasy on neurological function. hes probably right that its safer in the short term than binge drinking, which is obviously responsible for related deaths.

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I don't think the researcher is taking into account possible long term effects of ecstasy on neurological function. hes probably right that its safer in the short term than binge drinking, which is obviously responsible for related deaths.

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