The Situation
Fentanyl is the leading and most deadly adulterant of recreational substances across
the country.
Every year, millions of Americans report taking recreational drugs such as MDMA (a.k.a. ecstasy or molly).
Drugs sold as ecstasy are commonly adulterated with other drugs such as methamphetamine, ketamine… even fentanyl.
The dangers associated with recreational substance use continue to be an alarming issue responsible for an increasing loss of young lives in Lake County and nationally. According to the 2022 Annual Report from the Lake County Coroner's Office in Illinois, they investigated a total of 124 drug-related deaths. Among the cases involving opioids, 92 were positive for the presence of fentanyl which unfortunately has been increasing steadily since 2020 with a reported number of 78 [Lake County Coroner’s Office Annual Report, 2022]. Fentanyl is the leading and most deadly adulterant of recreational substances across the country. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl was the most commonly involved opioid in overdose deaths. [SUDORS Dashboard: Fatal Overdose Data | Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center]. The unadvertised inclusion of fentanyl, or adulteration of recreational substances, takes place alongside the complete mislabeling of pure fentanyl presented as a completely different substance i.e. fenta-pills sold as valium, percocet, xanax, and more, to unsuspecting consumers.
National statistics reveal an alarming trend, with over 250 Americans now dying each day from drug overdoses. Stimulant overdose deaths, including those involving methamphetamine and cocaine, are also on the rise [CDC Testimony, 2022]. The proliferation of highly potent and unpredictable illicit drug markets, particularly saturated with synthetic opioids such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (IMFs), has been driving the historic increase in overdose deaths since 2013 [CDC Testimony, 2022]. The latest provisional mortality data from the CDC indicates that more than 107,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending in January 2022. It is estimated that 75% of these deaths involved at least one opioid, with synthetic opioids like illicitly manufactured fentanyl or fentanyl analogs being the primary contributors [CDC Testimony, 2022].
These concerning trends highlight the urgent need for education, appropriate treatment, and heightened awareness of the dangers associated with recreational drug use.
+ What is MDMA/ecstasy/molly?
- MDMA is a synthetic drug that has both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.
- Use can increase energy, distort perception, and enhance feelings of empathy and sensory experiences.
- MDMA is the name for the pure chemical compound, but it is also known as molly (when in powder or crystal form) or ecstasy (when in pill form). However, a lot of molly and ecstasy actually contains little to no MDMA.
+ What are the potential side-effects of using ecstasy/molly?
- Drugs sold as ecstasy and molly are commonly adulterated with other drugs such as methamphetamine, “bath salts”, cocaine, or ketamine. In addition there is concern that ecstasy and molly are becoming contaminated by fentanyl. However, even “pure” MDMA may be equally dangerous.
- “Adulterated” drugs are intentionally modified to mimic the effects of MDMA because they are less costly or more available.
- “Contaminated” drugs are unintentionally combined with other substances (i.e., when a manufacturer is not using clean conditions).
- In addition, illicit manufacturers are creating ever-more high-potency drugs, sometimes competing to produce the strongest products.
- Because MDMA is a Schedule I controlled substance in the US, the ability to possess and legally study its impact is limited.
- However we do know that any use of MDMA may cause adverse psychiatric and physical symptoms such as panic attack, depression, suicidal ideation, increase in body temperature, sleeplessness and dehydration.
- MDMA also releases serotonin which creates a sense of well-being. However, this temporarily depletes serotonin levels, causing many people to experience negative after-effects, sometimes referred to as ‘Blue Monday’ and ‘Suicide Tuesday’ following weekend use.
- There is an opportunity to increase awareness among the medical community regarding treatment for these negative outcomes as well as research on the use and adverse outcomes associated with ecstasy/molly.