Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jan 2012
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Abbotsford News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD
Website: http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News

ECSTASY WARNINGS CONTINUE

Abbotsford Police are continuing to warn people about the dangers of 
using any form of illicit drugs, in the wake of toxicology results 
released from one ecstasy-related death in the Lower Mainland and 
five in Calgary.

Provincial health officer Perry Kendall confirmed in a media 
teleconference today (Thursday) that one of the four recent B.C. 
deaths   two in Abbotsford and two in Vancouver   occurred because 
the drug was tainted by a lethal chemical known as 
paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA).

He did not indicate which one of the individuals he was referring to.

Kendall's comments come after toxicology results released Wednesday 
from the five Calgary deaths showed that PMMA was present in all the 
victims. Kendall said 16 ecstasy-related deaths in B.C. from 2011 
will also be examined to see if the chemical was present.

According to a press release issued Wednesday by Calgary Police 
Service, PMMA is thought to be a less expensive compound used to make 
a drug similar in appearance   and sold on the street as   ecstasy.

Ecstasy (MDMA) and meth were also found in the Calgary toxicology results.

Dr. Mark Yarema, medical director of the Poison and Drug Information 
Service, said PMMA is considered more toxic than MDMA, with a higher 
incidence of seizures and elevated body temperature.

The effects can take longer and the results can initially be milder, he said.

"This is dangerous as it may result in users ingesting several 
tablets to achieve a desired effect, with potentially fatal consequences."

Police in both Calgary and Abbotsford are using the results as a 
message that there is no guarantee of what people are getting when 
they use an illegal drug.

"To me, it's just a risk that people shouldn't be taking right 
now   or at any time ... You don't know what's in it (the drug) and 
you don't know what it will do to your body," said Abbotsford Police 
Const. Ian MacDonald.

Staff Sgt. Mike Bossley of Calgary Police Service's drug unit said 
these deaths are a "prime example" of what can happen when people 
gamble with drugs.

"You never know what is in your drug: yesterday it was MDMA, today's 
it PMMA and tomorrow it could be something else. There is no safe 
street drug, and no safe dose of a street drug."

There have been three recent ecstasy-related incidents involving 
Abbotsford people.

Tyler Miller, 20, died Nov. 27 after taking ecstasy recreationally 
with friends. Cheryl McCormack, 17, passed away on Dec. 22   three 
days after ingesting ecstasy at a sleepover with friends who were 
using the drug to aid in weight loss.

And a 24-year-old woman is recovering in intensive care after taking 
several ecstasy pills on New Year's Eve.

Two women from Vancouver, both 22, have also died in recent weeks.
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