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MDMA Being Sold In Melbourne Found To Have 'Dr Death' Chemical

MDMA Being Sold In Melbourne Found To Have 'Dr Death' Chemical

Victorian health authorities have issued a big warning for people buying drugs in the city.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Victorian authorities have issued a warning to people buying MDMA in Melbourne.

After analysing the various chemicals that make up the raw form of ecstasy being sold in the city, scientists detected Para-Methoxymethamphetamine.

That probably won't spark much recognition for most drug users but all you need to know is that it's dangerous.

PMMA has been nicknamed Dr Death because of the high rate of people who have died after ingesting it thinking it was just MDMA.

Victorian authorities have revealed PMMA has been hidden inside baggies of the drug and disguised as yellow crystals. Regular MDMA appears brown or white in colour.

Alamy

VicHealth said in a statement: "Be very cautious about any substance with a yellow colour/tinge that's sold as MDMA - it may contain PMMA.

"PMMA and the related drug PMA have been associated with a substantial number of hospitalisations and deaths worldwide, often involving both PMMA/PMA and MDMA."

"If you have an unexpected or delayed reaction to a drug, do not take more."

The health body revealed PMMA usually takes longer to kick in than regular MDMA, which could cause people to take more because they're not feeling it and that can cause an overdose.

People who have consumed PMMA have reported experiencing a 'dangerously high body temperature, severe shortness of breath, cardiac arrest, convulsions, sudden collapse, organ failure and death'.

VicHealth said the drug is has 'stimulant and mild hallucinogenic properties'.

"Reports from people who have used PMMA intentionally suggest it's hard to take a dose that provides any desirable effects without experiencing serious unwanted effects," the health body stated.

"While unpredictable, the effects of PMMA may include moderate stimulation, mildly heightened senses, seeing colours and shapes, overheating, dehydration, sweating, increased heartbeat and blood pressure, difficulty breathing, irregular eye movements, muscle spasms, and nausea and vomiting."

Yeah, it really doesn't sound like a fun time.

Accoring to Frank, a website designed to give information about different drugs, says PMMA has street names like Chicken Fever, Double Stacked, Killer, Mitsubishi Turbo, Pink Ecstasy and Red Mitsubishi.

The site adds that 'people can get so out of control [on the drug] that they don't realise they're in danger of overheating and dehydration'.

Why drug dealers would be cutting their product with something that could kill their clients is anyone's guess however MDMA users should heed the warning.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Australia