Doctors said a 15-year-old girl who was hospitalized after taking ecstasy pills drank too much water, jeopardizing her health and illustrating the dangers of the drug.

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Seven-part series for students in grades 5 - 9 to learn about the effects of drug abuse on the body and the brain.

VIDEO

Hendrik Sybrandy reports on the manufacturing and distribution of ecstasy

Dr. Jeffrey Brent talks about treatment of ecstasy patients

Dr. Chris Colwell talks about the dangers of ecstasy

Dr. Steve Cantrill talks about ecstasy's effect on the body

DISCUSSION

A Discussion For Parents About Ecstasy

The teen from Highlands Ranch, whose name was not released, was taken to Littleton Adventist Hospital on Saturday and put in a medically induced coma after allegedly taking the drug at a rave party in Boulder on Friday. The girl has since been released from the hospital, but doctors held a press conference Monday to discuss the case and the dangers associated with the drug. "This is a brain toxin, and if you use it often enough, even if you never present to the emergency department, when you become an adult and beyond, your brain may just not function very well," said Dr. Ken Kulig, a toxicologist. Doctors said the girl took three tablets of ecstasy and became thirsty -- a common side effect -- so she drank too much water, leading to low sodium levels. A similar chain of events has been blamed for the death of another teen in Boulder County two weeks ago. Authorities said Brittney Chambers slipped into a coma from taking ecstasy at her 16th birthday party at her mother's house in Superior. She died Feb. 2 after life support was removed. The Boulder County coroner ruled that her death was caused by ingestion of ecstasy, which led to water intoxication because she consumed so much water. Boulder police Cmdr. Joe Pelle said that investigators have identified the person thought to have sold the pills to the girl and are awaiting the results of toxicology tests before making an arrest. Pelle said that the suspect and his parents are cooperating with police. Previous Stories:

• February 13, 2001: Ecstasy Case Arrest Expected
• February 12, 2001: Ecstasy Death Caused By 'Water Intoxication'
• February 09, 2001: Lab Tests Show Fatal Ecstasy Pill Untainted
• February 08, 2001: Boulder Probe Into Ecstasy Party Continues
• February 07, 2001: Boulder Deputies Suspended Over Ecstasy Case
• February 05, 2001: Ecstasy Suspects Due In Court This Week
• February 04, 2001: Ecstasy Suspects Post Bond, Victim's Family Plans Memorial
• February 03, 2001: Girl In Ecstasy-Induced Coma Dies
• February 01, 2001: Arrests Are Near In Ecstasy Sale
• January 31, 2001: Girl Remains In Coma As Authorities Issue Ecstasy Warning
• January 29, 2001: Girl In Critical Condition After Consuming 'Ecstasy' Drug