Molly is the street name for a drug that is pushed as the pure powder form of MDMA, the main chemical in Ecstasy. In the last five years, Molly has made its way into popular culture. The drug’s dangers became more apparent after a rash of overdoses and four deaths this past summer, including two at a music festival in NYC.
Ecstasy was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s. When a number of deaths and hospitalizations were attributed to its usage, its attraction began to wane. That’s when Molly was introduced, but Molly has proven to be just as dangerous. As the amount of drugs sold under the name of Molly has risen, so too have the number of visits to US emergency rooms and deaths.
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[col class=”span6″]This past summer during a dance festival concert on Randall’s Island:
• A 20 year old female University of New Hampshire student died after taking Molly.
• A 23 year old male Syracuse University graduate overdosed and died 11 minutes after arriving at the hospital.
• There were several other reported overdoses and 4 concert goers were placed in intensive care.
• That same weekend, a University of Virginia student died at a rave in Washington, DC, after taking Molly. Her father said that she was a dream child who made one mistake.
• Three people reportedly overdosed on Molly in Boston, during a recent concert, including a college student who died. One male said he blacked out after taking one dose of Molly.[/col]
[col class=”span6″]Kids Should Be Warned
• Not to let their drinks out of their sight, for Molly can easily be slipped into a liquid.
• Not to take any drugs for fear of addiction and dependence.
• To call 911 right away if they, or someone they know, is in danger.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call SAFE’s confidential, toll-free hotline, 24/7 at 1-866-569-SAFE (7233). You can also visit www.TheSafeFoundation.org.[/col]
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One spokesman for the DEA said, “There’s no ‘good batch’ of Molly. You have no idea what is in this stuff. Dealers want to make more money, so they’ll mix and adulterate the stuff with meth and any number of other drugs to addict people to it.”
Narcotics, such as heroin and cocaine, have been found in Molly capsules, and adulterants, such as: caffeine, speed, ephedrine, ketamine, LSD, talcum powder and aspirin, have been found in it as well. Eighty to 90% of the time, a chemical presented as Molly is actually something completely different.
“People are buying things called Molly, and nobody knows what it is,” said the director of drug information at New Jersey Poison Control.
Use of the drug can cause rapid heartbeat, overheating, excessive sweating, agitation, shivering, involuntary twitching, dizziness, motor restlessness, insomnia, delusions, dilated pupils, mood changes, high blood pressure, mood changes, high fevers, heart and liver failure, as well as something called Suicide Tuesday—a deep depression caused by sudden drops in serotonin.
