Pubdate: Mon, 13 Feb 2012
Source: Parklander, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.hintonparklander.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.hintonparklander.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/782
Author: Craig Palmer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

ECSTASY RISK CONTINUES

HINTON - As the number of victims claimed by tainted ecstasy continue 
to increase, one has to wonder why people continue taking the risk.

Paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) is a substance similar to ecstasy 
(MDMA), yet weaker and much more toxic. And because the drug is 
cheaper than MDMA it can be can be cut into ecstasy for greater 
profit. Those taking ecstasy laced with the weaker substance may be 
inclined to take more in order to get a sufficient high, greatly 
increasing the risk of an overdose.

To date there have been a dozen confirmed deaths related to ecstasy 
laced with PPMA, with authorities awaiting toxicology reports on 
numerous other non-fatal overdoses.

But these deaths aren't happening across the world. They are 
happening in Alberta and in B.C.. Initially popping up in Calgary and 
creeping up through to Red Deer, and to our western neighbours. And 
all of this is on top of the usual smattering of ecstasy overdoses 
that pop up from time to time.

Thankfully police are making headway in their investigations to find 
the source of the tainted drugs, having recently arrested two 
19-year-olds in Calgary found with 823 grams of powdered ecstasy 
containing PMMA. It's fantastic that some of the tainted substance is 
off the streets, but make no mistake; it still lingers out there and 
there is potential for it to continue to spread throughout our province.

The solution to stopping the spread and, more importantly, stopping 
the deaths is so simple, and it's a wonder that people didn't figure 
it out after the initial deaths were reported. Just don't do it. It's 
not a "It can happen to anyone but me" scenario. The people dying 
aren't the quintessential junkies living in shanties, nor are they 
all confused and brightly dressed ravers. They are teenagers, college 
students, and adults nearly in their 40's.

As confirmed and suspected cases continue to pop up, people need to 
realize that maybe doing ecstasy isn't the best idea. It doesn't 
matter how awesome your pants feel while you're "rollin'," the risk 
is just far too great for such little payoff.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom