Associated names
MDMA, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, E, Tabs, Mitziãs; Diamonds; Apples, Doves, White Callies, Dennis The Menace; Rhubarb And Custard.

 

Legal status
Class A.

 

Appearance
Pure MDMA comes as a white powder however, because of the number of different labs and different processes that produce Ecstasy, its appearance is very varied. Most commonly, Ecstasy comes as tablets or capsules.

Tablets may be white, off-white, yellow, speckled, rough, smooth, scored, imprinted with designs or plain. Capsules come in many colours, plain white, black and red, yellow and purple.

 

Cost
Ecstasy (and tablets sold as ecstasy) is relatively expensive but getting cheaper, costing between £5 and £20 a tablet.

 

Quality
The quality of all drugs is variable and nowhere is this truer than with Ecstasy. Given the high cost per tablet there are immense profits to be made passing off anything as Ecstasy, hence, there is a chance that any old tablet finds its way onto the streets - headache tablets, other medications, veterinary supplies, old capsules fitted with any white powder.

 

Methods of use
Ecstasy is usually swallowed.

 

Effects
Ecstasy starts working approximately 30 minutes after it has been swallowed. Users may initially experience a warm glow spreading rapidly through the body, and experience some slight dizziness; disorientation, breathlessness and exhilaration Nausea may be present.

For the next six to eight hours the user may experience some of the following: increase in pulse rate, feeling warm or flushed, feeling restless, anxiety and paranoia, feeling increasingly friendly to other people, and a sense that this friendliness is reciprocated, tightness and clenching of the jaw muscles, dilated pupils, an increase in energy, suppression of the appetite, no desire to sleep, enhanced appreciation of visual and auditory stimulation, some mild visual distortion, a decreased desire to urinate.

 

Health implications
Much has been made of the health risks attached to Ecstasy use; especially of Ecstasy-related deaths. While much research is still ongoing, the following health risks are apparent: 

• Toxic or allergic reactions to Ecstasy which can result in illness or death.
• A toxic or allergic reaction to substances that have been sold in place of Ecstasy.
• People with heart conditions can have a heart attack.
• Heat-stroke, which can cause death as internal organs cease working.
• Water intoxication caused by the user drinking too much water which coincides with restricted kidney function caused by Ecstasy which can in turn cause levels of fluid within the brain to increase, leading to unconsciousness, coma, and possible death.
• The triggering of other conditions. Ecstasy has been linked to a number of conditions which may have previously been latent, and triggered by taking Ecstasy. Evidence is strong, for example, that Ecstasy can trigger Epilepsy in some individuals.
• Some regular users have experienced long-term depression after using Ecstasy.

 

Warning signs and what to do if someone collapses
There are several warning signs that should always be taken notice of: 

• Failure to sweat.
• Heat cramps in the legs, arms and back.
• Giddiness, dizziness, headache, fatigue.
• Vomiting.
• Highly-coloured urine.
• Fainting/loss of consciousness.
• Suddenly feeling really tired, irritable and confused.

At which point, stop any physical activity, sip water or preferably a fruity or fizzy drink at regular intervals and eat something salty if possible.

If someone has collapsed while dancing: 

• Call an ambulance. 
• Get the person to as cool a place as possible (outside maybe). 
• Drench them with water (as cold as possible) using any means you can. Increase the cooling down process by fanning them with anything that's handy. 
• When the ambulance comes, tell them what the person has taken (if you know). On a technical note you are looking to get the body temperature down to 102F (38.9C). Once the temperature is down to this level the person should be wrapped in a dry blanket or given some dry clothes to wear. The temperature shouldn't be allowed to fall much below 102F (38.9C) or other serious consequences might develop. 
• If the person regains consciousness make them drink water with some salt in it. Those Re-Hydrate packets that you mix with water are good. And you can get salt tablets or isotonic drinks if this is easier. The person should then be taken to hospital for observation and proper treatment.