The study also found significant declines in tobacco use at all grade levels, but alcohol use -- already at high levels -- remained essentially unchanged.

The survey of 45,000 students in grades 8, 10 and 12 found that heroin use declined 21 percent among 8th graders and cocaine use dropped 19 percent among 12th graders. In addition, LSD use is down among 10th and 12th graders, while hallucinogen use declined in all three grade levels.

However, the study found a significant increase in ecstasy use among all three grade levels. According to the report, between 1999 and 2000, ecstasy use among 8th graders increased 82 percent, with a 44-percent increase among 10th graders and a 46 percent increase among 12th graders.

"The MTF Study also showed a huge increase in the use of MDMA or ecstasy expanding beyond prior use solely at all-night rave clubs among all three grades," stated Barry McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "Kids think ecstasy is safe, but they are actually harming themselves in a major way. They are destroying their memories, their hearts, their kidneys, and their nervous system, while risking immediate strokes and heart attacks. Risking permanent brain damage is not worth dancing the night away."

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