§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs about the dangers of taking Ecstasy.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The Government have received advice from the council on this matter. The council takes the view that the unpredictability of the effects of taking Ecstasy 115WA (MDMA), including the possibility of death, means that there is cause for serious concern about the risks involved. The council advises that in contrast to the desired effects of the drug, there have also been regular reports of serious short-term effects. First-ever epileptic fits, panic attacks, paranoid states and confusional episodes are well known and often seen in some accident and emergency departments. These short-term disorders are potentially serious, although they are usually amenable to treatment.
The council reports that long-term effects which have been observed include permanent visual changes, depression and panic attacks. Some individuals will be at risk of developing psychotic illness. Post mortems on some individuals who have died in circumstances associated with the drug have suggested direct damage to the liver and heart. The deaths which have occurred have been unpredictable and sporadic and seem usually to have been brought on either by hyperthermia (overheating) and the complications which follow or, very rarely, through excessive water consumption which has led to acute water intoxication. The council advises that other similar drugs such as MDA or MDEA may well carry similar or greater risks. Misuse of Ecstasy in combination with other drugs or alcohol will have a tendency to increase the risks. The risks of dehydration and overheating are likely to be exaggerated by high ambient temperatures and crowding.
The Council advises that ecstasy tablets seized in this country have not contained other harmful substances. The harmful effects are as a result of MDMA itself. The Department of Health, through the Health Education Authority, is using the advice of the Council to inform its drugs prevention campaign, as part of the Government's drugs strategy, Tackling Drugs Together. The advice will also be used to inform the forthcoming advice to local authorities on improving the health and safety of young people at clubs and similar venues.