Edmonton | 9 Feb 2012
The Edmonton Police Service is issuing a warning to the public about the dangers of Ecstasy and PMMA. Several recent deaths in Calgary and numerous serious health-related issues in Alberta are raising concerns relating to the ingestion of Ecstasy.
On Jan. 28, 2012, four non-fatal overdoses occurred at an Edmonton electronic music event that police believe may have been associated with Ecstasy and PMMA.
It’s known by users as the ultimate “love drug” but its exhilarating high comes with serious lows and consequences, says Det. Guy Pilon, a drug expert with the EPS Drug and Gang Section.
“Despite no confirmed cases of PMMA/Ecstasy overdoses in Edmonton, we are very concerned about people potentially dying. There is no guarantee that the tainted ecstasy won’t, or hasn’t already, arrived in our region,” says Det. Pilon, “You just never know what’s in the pills and any tablet can be contaminated at any time, and with anything. You are taking chances with your life.”
There were two serious ecstasy-related overdoses in April 2009. Two teen girls were taken to hospital, resulting in the death of one 14-year-old girl. Ecstasy was suspected in the death of a 19-year-old woman in Edmonton in May 2010 but the official cause of death could not be determined.
Paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), a compound not previously associated with Ecstasy, has been consumed under the understanding that it is indeed ecstasy. This chemical is responsible for the sudden increase of deaths associated with the use of what is believed to be Ecstasy. A tablet containing just ecstasy and a tablet tainted with PMMA looks just the same, and it’s impossible to tell what percentage of any drug or chemical makes up the tablet(s).
“There is no control in the manufacturing of ecstasy nor will the person selling these pills know what the true content is. Even though users are obtaining Ecstasy from a perceived reliable dealer, the dealer may not be aware of the contents of the pills he/she is selling,” says Det. Pilon.
The EPS will be present at all upcoming rave or electronic music events through out the City of Edmonton monitoring activity.
“Several electronic music events and raves are taking place in Edmonton over the next two weeks, starting this evening. If you will be in attendance at these events and participate in any illegal activities, you may be charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, or trafficking in a controlled substance,” says Det. Pilon.
The EPS is currently working on a public education campaign about ecstasy which it hopes to launch some time in May of this year.
