Findlay, Ohio, Oct. 7, 2003 — Lynn Smith, a survivor of ecstasy abuse, will tell her story in a presentation titled “Am I Dead? My Agony with Ecstasy” on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 9 p.m. in Ritz Auditorium, Old Main, on the campus of The University of Findlay.

In addition, Smith will give a special presentation to members of the clergy, counselors, law enforcement, educators and drug abuse and prevention professionals on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Endly Room, Alumni Memorial Union.

A native of a small, rural town in Pennsylvania, Smith was one of the popular kids. She performed extremely well in school, was involved in many activities and was regularly cast as the lead in theatre productions. Her dream was to move to New York City and pursue an acting career.

At the age of 19, she enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she was exposed to new people, new ideas and a new way of life – one that introduced her to drugs. Although she tried a variety of drugs, ecstasy became her drug of choice. Although she continued a career in theatre, her addiction became more important than her work, causing her to stop auditioning. Her weekends were spent popping pills and dancing at clubs in New York City.

Smith worked only to support her habit, and, in five months, she went from living somewhat responsibly to not caring about anything. She rarely ate or slept. On the occasions when she did sleep, she had nightmares and panic attacks. She had pasty skin, throbbing headaches and the beginnings of paranoia. She ignored it, until one night she began to hallucinate uncontrollably.

In the middle of the night, she managed to call her mother, who took her from New York back to Pennsylvania. Smith spent the next 14 days in the psychiatric ward of a state hospital in extreme confusion. While in the hospital, a neuro-spec scan of her brain was performed, indicating the damage she had done through repeated drug abuse.

Since then, she has dedicated herself to educating others about the perils of ecstasy abuse. She has gone public with her story, hoping to prevent others from making the same mistakes she did. Smith has appeared on Oprah and MTV’s True Life and has testified before Congress regarding the issue of ecstasy abuse. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Partnership for a Drug Free America and is featured on that organization’s Web site.

Smith’s presentations are co-sponsored by The University of Findlay’s Office of Counseling Services and Office of Student Activities and Commuter Student Services. Funding for her presentation was obtained through a grant from The ADAMHS Board/Hancock County Community Partnership.

All events are free and open to the public.