Would you take a pill when you have no idea what the active ingredient is or what effect it will have on your body?
Would you be a guinea pig for drug traffickers?
Some of our kids are doing just that.
They are taking significant risks by experimenting with Molly, and it is a growing concern for parents and drug officials.
From the Daily News at The Partnership to End Addiction, “Emergency room visits related to Molly, or Ecstasy, rose 128 percent among people younger than 21 between 2005 and 2011, according to a new government report.”
It was believed that Molly was “pure” MDMA, the active ingredient in Ecstasy. Still, the drug has now become a toxic mixture of lab-created chemicals, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
What is Molly?
Ecstasy and Molly, which is slang for “molecular,” is the pure powder or crystal form of MDMD. It is called the “club drug.”
MDMA is a man-made product. Other chemicals are now being added or used as a substitute in Molly tablets.
According to a recent CNN article, “Someone who buys or takes Molly now is probably ingesting dangerous synthetic drugs that have not been tested and are produced in widely varying strengths. The DEA says only 13% of the Molly seized in New York state the last four years actually contained any MDMA, and even then, it often was mixed with other drugs. The drugs often found in Molly are Methylone, MDPV, 4-MEC, 4-MMC, Pentedrone, and MePP.”
Molly is taken orally, usually as a capsule or tablet, and a “hit” of MDMA lasts for three to six hours. Some take a second dose as the effects begin to fade, which is called “bumping.”
It takes about 15 minutes for MDMA to enter the bloodstream once the pill is swallowed. About 45 minutes later, the user will experience the MDMA “high.”
The street names for MDMA are:
- “Ecstasy”
- “Molly”
- “E”
- “XTC”
- “X”
- “Adam”
- “hug”
- “beans”
- “clarity”
- “lover’s speed.”
- “love drug.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers MDMA to be a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted use in medical treatment. The DEA notes that MDMA can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems, and drug craving. The drug also can cause muscle tension, tremors, involuntary teeth clenching, muscle cramps, nausea, faintness, chills, sweating, and blurred vision.
The DEA goes on to say that “High doses of MDMA can interfere with the ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), leading to liver, kidney and cardiovascular failure. Severe dehydration can result from the combination of the drug’s effects and the crowded and hot conditions in which the drug is often taken.”
Who is Using Molly?
Molly users are generally 16 to 24 years old but are sometimes as young as 12, and the drug has been popular with adolescents and young adults in the nightclub scene or at “raves.”
According to NIDA, in 2013, the number of 12th-graders that used Molly during their lifetime is 7.10%, during the past year is 4.00% and during the past month is 1.50%.
Why Should You Be Concerned?
MDMA is a drug that can cause dehydration through vigorous activity in a warm environment. It may not seem like a concern, but when the body is unable to regulate its temperature, it can cause overheating or hyperthermia. MDMA can lead to severe heart and kidney problems or even death.
MDMA is extremely dangerous in high doses or when multiple small doses are taken within a short period to continue the high. High levels can affect the bloodstream and can increase the risk of seizure and affect the heart’s ability to keep up normal rhythms.
Heavy MDMA users experience long-lasting confusion, depression, sleep abnormalities, and problems with attention and memory. These problems may also be caused by the combination of using other drugs as well.
According to the DEA, “dealers…adulterate the stuff.” And even reliable dealers don’t always know what went into their batch. One former dealer who operated mainly in the Pacific Northwest and who made around $700 a week said, “I never cut my stuff. Did other people cut that Molly before me? Yes, absolutely. I never actually did any of the tests, I just knew. I know that I was not going directly through the cook, and every set of hands it passes, you can assume it’s getting cut.”
What Can You Do About It?
Be informed. If you suspect your child is using Molly, John Corbott, clinical coordinator at Mary Haven Center of Hope, said there are five signs to look for:
- Jaw clenching
- Sudden loss of appetite
- High and low temperatures
- Signs of depression such as sadness
- Not being able to get out of bed for an extended period of time
Bring teens exhibiting signs of any severe drug use to your local emergency room.
To prevent your child from experimenting with drugs and alcohol:
Talk to your teen regularly about drug and alcohol abuse. Get educated on teen drug use in your area. Learn all you can about teen substance abuse. Explain the effects of drugs on the body and how it can damage a still-developing brain.
Stay involved with your teen. Answer your child’s questions and communicate positively. The better you know your child, the easier it will be to guide your child in a positive direction. Spend time doing activities that you both enjoy. Let them know you are there to help. You are still the most important influence in your teen’s life.
Create clear rules and be consistent. Discuss rules, expectations, and consequences in advance. Teach your children to take responsibility for their actions. Plan and do your best to stay calm if you suspect drug use.
What else can we do to help prevent our children from using Molly? Let us know in the comments.
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Resources: NIDA, Partnership at Drugfree.org, SAMHSA
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