Pubdate: Thu, 01 Nov 2007
Source: Ithacan, The (NY Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Ithaca College.
Contact:  http://www.ithaca.edu/rhp/ithacan/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1759
Author: William Earl, Senior Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

A DANGEROUS FIXATION

When Ithaca College Senior Jon* Met Mollie, It Was Love At First Sight.

"I'm used to taking Ecstasy a lot, so when my buddy whipped out 
Mollie for the first time, I just popped it without thinking," he 
said. "Once I got jacked up on it, I was set for the night."

Jon said the drug has become a staple in his social life, given its 
effects, availability and affordability. "The first time I took 
Mollie I was at a Cornell frat party freshman year, and I just danced 
like crazy," he said. "But as I've taken it more and more, I just 
like sitting around and zoning out with friends."

This new drug, increasing in prevalence in Ithaca as well as around 
the nation, is growing in popularity among the club scene while 
flying under the radar of law enforcement.

The Drug Enforcement Agency only started to consider Mollie a drug 
threat in 2004, when it classified it as a Schedule 1 drug, because 
of ease of accessibility, availability, potential for abuse and lack 
of purpose in the medical community.

Tina*, an Ithaca resident, said she has been dealing marijuana for 
years. She picked up Mollie to sell in 2004, around the time the DEA 
made the drug an investigative priority.

"I started getting the stuff about four years ago, and I started 
selling it because it was cheap and I made a huge profit," Tina said. 
"A lot of college kids came from cities where Ecstasy was cheap, and 
there isn't any of that up here. This works as a better alternative."

According to the DEA, Mollie can refer to two distinct types of 
drugs. One version is synthesized mainly from the combination of two 
synthesized drugs, Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) and 
Benzylperazine (BZP). Together, the drugs mirror the effects of 
traditional Ecstasy (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA) when 
snorted or taken in pill form. The drug is often marketed as a safer, 
cleaner and stronger version of Ecstasy.

Once the drug is taken, the user feels intensely euphoric and 
energetic. The stimulant is supplemented with hallucinations, making 
the user feel as though they are mixing Ecstasy and LSD. Senior 
Henry* said he takes Mollie as a form of relaxation.

"Most weeks I am pulling my hair out I am so stressed," he said. 
"When I am able to take some time off on the weekends, I like to go 
wild. Taking Mollie is definitely a lot more fun than drinking and 
stuff because it gives you a better state of mind."

According to the DEA, the drug also has dangerous side effects. 
Taking Mollie could cause nausea, insomnia, anxiousness, headaches 
and seizures. Also prevalent is a type of all-day hangover 
experienced the day after use, in which the user feels extreme lethargy.

The second form of Mollie gives the drug its name. Short for 
"molecule," this strand is a stronger, differently cut version of 
Ecstasy. While every pill of Ecstasy is different, as it is often cut 
with other chemicals such as heroin or cocaine, Mollie is not 
introduced to these other chemicals. This is known to many users as 
the pure and less tampered version of Ecstasy that can give a "more 
honest" high.

Mollie of this persuasion is taken by either powder or pill and 
mirrors many of the effects of Ecstasy, including euphoria and 
heightened senses. Yet it also comes with the same risks as Ecstasy, 
including short-term dehydration, hyperthermia and, with habitual 
usage, deterioration of many brain functions including memory and motor skills.

Mollie and other club drugs are not known to be addictive in that 
users feel withdrawal cravings, though a tolerance can be obtained 
through frequent usage.

The effects of the two drugs are similar, though the TFMPP-BZP mix 
can give the user unexpected hallucinations.

Paul Mikowski, a psychologist who works with the Ithaca College 
Counseling Center in substance abuse prevention, said one of the 
major risks buyers face is not truly knowing what they are ingesting.

"Whenever you buy a street drug, especially in pill or powder form, 
it can be just about anything," he said. "It is too easy to overdose, 
get some drug you do not want or to simply get a fake with such an 
ambiguous form. How much do you really trust the person who sold it to you?"

Mikowski said studies show less than 5 percent of college students 
have used designer drugs in the last year, making it far less 
prevalent than alcohol abuse, marijuana use or tobacco smoking.

But Tina said most of her customers never ask, and likely don't care, 
what it is they are buying.

"As long as it got people high, they would take it," she said.

While Jon said he wasn't aware there were two forms of Mollie, he 
said he has noticed differences in his experiences with the drug.

"Once in a while you get Mollie and then you trip out like crazy," 
Jon said. "It's hard to tell what to expect because it's not the same 
high every time."

Public Safety Investigator Tom Dunn said he is aware of the threat of 
Mollie, but it has not been seen by campus police.

Jon said he will continue to use Mollie regardless of the risks.

"It sucks that Mollie might not be what I think it is, but whatever," 
Jon said. "I'm young and have put worse stuff in my body than this, 
and even if I get a bad trip once in a while, that's how it goes."

For more information about drug abuse, contact the Counseling Center 
at 274-3136.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom