Molly: So popular and yet so misunderstood

Teens don't understand the truth about Molly -- a popular, but dangerous party drug.  Molly and its cousin, Ecstasy, are based on the drug MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine). They think that Molly is a purer form of Ecstasy. Wrong.

A drug with many names: besides the names Molly and Ecstasy, MDMA is also known as the hug drug, E, Adam, Bean, M, X and XTC. It is a stimulant with both amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties. Like an amphetamine, it has an energizing effect. Like a hallucinogen, it causes distortions in time and perception and enhanced sensory experiences. It is also known as "the hug drug" because it reduces inhibitions while it increases feelings of closeness and empathy and sexual feelings. The "high" starts within 30-45 minutes of taking the drug and lasts for 4-6 hours.

Molly, Ecstasy and MDMA are designer drugs. In 1985, MDMA was banned by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) because of its high potential for abuse and lack of any acceptable medical use. Because it's illegal, MDMA is made in secret labs both in and out of the United States. Underground "chemists" design and synthesize a drug that is altered slightly so it is no longer exactly the same as the banned substance. When the new drug is discovered by authorities then the design has to change again. Hence, the name "designer drug." Altered slightly so it is no longer exactly the same as the banned substance – hmm … "clever."

Designer drugs have no boundaries. They do not have standard ingredients and they do not have standard doses. Researchers have determined that what is sold as Molly, Ecstasy and MDMA may or may not contain MDMA and may or may not contain other harmful drugs such as LSD, methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, dextromethorphan, ephedrine and caffeine. They may also contain rat poison and dog deworming substances. Rat poison and dog deworming substances – hmm … "clever" and "creative."

Molly, Ecstasy and MDMA induce long lasting negative effects. Initially, these drugs cause increased energy so users dance and party for hours. The drugs interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature resulting in high fever (hyperthermia). The combination of extreme physical exertion and hyperthermia cause severe dehydration which can lead to organ failure and death. Less devastating effects may last for weeks or even permanently and include:

Sadly, Molly, Ecstasy and MDMA are popular. In a CDC survey of 13,500 high school students across the United States, 7 percent said that they used Ecstasy or MDMA one or more times during their lives. Use was:

Monitoring the Future surveyed 41,700 high school students nationwide and found that 36 percent of 12th graders think that getting Ecstasy is easy to get.  Something illegal and so dangerous shouldn't be easy to get. Just saying…

Molly, Ecstasy and MDMA are usually made into tablets but can also be distributed in capsules, powder and liquid. As a result, they can be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected. The tablets are sold with logos, creating brand names for users to seek out. The colorful pills are often hidden among colorful candies. People may take these drugs by "stacking" (taking three or more tablets at once), "piggy-backing" (taking a series of tablets over a short period of time) or "candy flipping" (the co-abuse of MDMA and LSD). Adding insult to injury, they are often used with alcohol and marijuana.

I urge you to talk to your children about the dangers of unregulated drugs and tell them the truth about Molly, Ecstasy and MDMA.

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