Alberta Health Services is warning about a new compound that has been found in drugs being sold as Ecstasy throughout Alberta.
This chemical is thought to be a less expensive compound, used to make a drug similar in appearance to, and sold on the street as Ecstasy (MDMA).
According to AHS, PMMA is considered more toxic than MDMA, with a higher incidence of seizures and elevated body temperature. Also, the onset of action of PMMA is delayed and its initial effect may be milder. This is dangerous as it may result in users ingesting several tablets to achieve a desired effect, with potentially fatal consequences.
There is no safe street drug, and no safe dose of a street drug. There are absolutely no controls in any illegal drug production and drugs could be cut with various substances, unknown to the user, which may lead to injury or death.
Alberta Health Services offers a number of resources to both parents and youth. More information can be found on their website:
Information for Parents:
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/2716.asp
Information for Youth:
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/2552.asp
Photos of Ecstasy and more information can be found on Health Canada’s website:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/drugs-drogues/learn-renseigne/ecstasy-eng.php
Possessing, producing, and trafficking in Ecstasy can result in fines, prison sentences and criminal records.
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What is Ecstasy?
Ecstasy is a hallucinogen (a drug that makes you see things that aren’t there). It is a chemical (methylenedioxy-methamphetamine or MDMA) made in underground drug labs. It also has street names like E, XTC, Adam, Euphoria, X, MDM, and Love Doves. It is a popular drug at raves and usually comes in gelatin capsules or tablets. The tablets are small, can be any colour, and may have any one of a number of different symbols stamped on them. Some of the more common symbols include doves, a hammer and sickle, and a diamond. Ecstasy can also come in a powder, which is snorted or dissolved and injected. Dealers often mix Ecstasy with LSD in a practice known as “candy-flipping.” As with other illegal drugs, it is impossible to know how safe Ecstasy will be, or what effects you might experience.
What can I expect if I use it?
Ecstasy has been involved in deaths due to severe dehydration and heat exhaustion, abnormal heart rhythms and liver failure. Ravers can reduce these risks by taking breaks and drinking plenty of non-alcoholic beverages. However, you can never totally eliminate the risks. There is also evidence that high doses of Ecstasy can damage brain cells.
Ecstasy takes effect about 20 to 40 minutes after taking it and the high can last six to 32 hours. Ecstasy can cause you to:
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It can also cause you to be:
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What can happen down the road?
Using Ecstasy for a long time may also cause permanent chemical changes in your brain. These changes can mean that your mood and your sleep are disturbed for a long time after you stop using.
- Some regular users become irritable, paranoid, or depressed. They may experience flashbacks or psychosis.
- Repeated use can damage your liver.
- If you use drugs often, you can develop serious personal problems. Using drugs can become more important than your family and friends. You may continue using even when your job or schoolwork is suffering, or when you run into financial, spiritual or legal problems.
- Young people who use drugs heavily may not learn how to solve problems, handle their emotions, and become mature, responsible adults.
How addictive is it?
When you develop a tolerance to a drug it means your body is adapting to the presence of that drug. As your level of tolerance increases, you need more of the drug to achieve the same effect.
People who use Ecstasy regularly for several weeks or months need larger amounts to feel the same effects. There is little information on whether Ecstasy produces dependence or withdrawal symptoms if regular use stops.
— with files from the Calgary Police Service
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