MDMA

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MDMA abuse and the trafficking of MDMA is on the rise, posing serious social concerns. Once confined to major metropolitan areas, MDMA trafficking has now expanded to smaller communities. Teenagers and young adults continue to be the primary targets of sophisticated crime syndicates who are supplying distribution groups with ever-increasing amounts of MDMA tablets. As the trend to consume MDMA in tandem with alcohol and other drugs continues, the harmful effects of the drug will increase exponentially.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine), also referred to as Ecstasy, XTC, Adam, and Essence, is a illegally manufactured variation of mescaline and amphetamine. It is considered a designer drug---a substance on the drug market that is a chemical analogue or variation of another psychoactive drug.

MDMA is marketed as a feel good drug. Devotees say it produces profoundly positive feelings, empathy for others, elimination of anxiety, and extreme relaxation--hence the nickname "hug drug," or "love drug." MDMA is also said to suppress the need to eat, drink, or sleep, enabling club scene users to endure all-night and sometimes two, or three-day parties.

MDMA is taken orally, usually in tablet or capsule form. MDMA tablets are often "stamped" with icons or logos intended to appeal to a young audience. Its effects last approximately four to six hours.

Tablets sold as Ecstasy are not always pure MDMA. As demand for Ecstasy has increased, so has the appearance of Ecstasy "fakes" often containing other substances such as amphetamine, caffeine, codeine, DXM, ephedra/ephedrine, ketamine, MDA, methamphetamine, and PCP. When used alone, MDMA is dangerous. It is even more dangerous when used in combination with other substances, as the physical and psychological effects are difficult to determine or predict.

SHORT TERM EFFECTS: increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature; jaw and teeth clenching/muscle tension, hypertension, dehydration, chills and/or sweating, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, dizziness, confusion, insomnia, and paranoia.

MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS:

LARGE DOSE: muscle breakdown, hyperthermia, kidney failure and cardiovascular system failure.

LONG TERM USE: depression, sleep disorders, paranoia, drug craving, persistent elevation of anxiety, liver damage, brain damage, paralysis, and possible others pending research.

Domestically, the DEA seized 196 MDMA tablets in 1993 and more than 3 million tablets in 2000. The amount of seizures made by Customs has increased from 400,000 in FY 1997 to 7.2 million in FY 2001.
Source: DEA, U.S. Customs Service

In 2001, MDMA use among young people jumped an additional 20 percent. Since 1999, teen MDMA use increased by 71 percent. More than 12 percent of teens report trying MDMA at least once in their lives---an increase from 10% in 2000 (a year-to-year increase of 20 percent), 7 percent in 1999 (a 71 percent increase to date) and 5 percent in 1995---an increase of 140 percent from 1995 to 2001.
Source: 2001 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study