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ECSTASY
3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYMETHylAMPHETAMINE (MDMA)
BRIEF HISTORY
Ecstasy was first synthesized in 1914 by a German chemical and
pharmaceutical company, E MERCK. However, the company decided not to
pursue the investigation of this compound as they did not publish any
data on its pharmacological activity on its toxicity.
MDA, dubbed ‘the love drug’, made an appearance on the “street” market
in the US in 1968, to be controlled under US drug law in 1970. MDMA
appeared as a legal alternative around 1972. It was used by some
therapists, particularly those dealing with marital problems, as the
drug encouraged empathy between users and dissipated hostility and
anger. However, as mentioned above, recreational use reached proportions
significant enough to cause the drug to be banned in America in 1985.
Currently, the drug is still used in Switzerland by some
psychotherapists.
SCIENTIFIC
BACKGROUND
Ecstasy, otherwise known as ‘E’, ‘Adam’ or ‘XTC’ is known chemically as
3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA for short. It is classed as
an hallucinogenic amphetamine, a group of drugs with effects that
combine those of amphetamine and LSD.
In the general category of hallucinogenic amphetamines, there are over a
thousand compounds, those in the MDA (Methylenedioxyamphetamine) family
including MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine), MBDB
(2-Methylamino-1-(Methylenedioxy-Phenyl) Butane and MDEA (Methylenedioxyethyl-Amphetamine
are mainly derived from the oils of natural products such as nutmeg,
sassafras, dill, calamus, crocus, parsley and saffron.
  
Precursors chemicals used for preparation of Ecstasy.
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Isosafrole
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Methylamine
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Piperonal
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Safrole
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3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone
OTHER TYPES OF
ECSTASY
Most recently, ’herbal ecstasy’ has appeared. This consists of a number
of legal stimulants in tablet form. These include Ma Huang (Ephedra
herb)*, Gingko Biloba, African raw cola nut, ginseng and guarana. The
drug reportedly gives an Ecstasy type high.
WHAT IS MA HUANG
(EPHEDRA HERB)*
It is a gymnosperm of the Mao family. It is a short, grassy evergreen
shrub like the scouring rush and has many nodes and long thin green
symmetric leaves. It’s provenance is said to be in the north of China.
This is a dioecious plant, blooming early in the summer. Flowers bloom
at the shoots apex or upper nodes and it bears small red fruits on the
female plants.
In China, the stem and leaf of this plants after decoction has been used
as diaphoretic, antipynetic, diuretic, blood circulatory drug and an
antitussive drug.
METHODS OF ABUSE
Ecstasy are usually taken orally, sometimes snorted and rarely injected.
Because they are produced in clandestine laboratories, they are seldom
pure and the amount in a capsule or tablet is likely to vary
considerably. Several may be taken in one night. Some users resort to
taking more than one tablet at a time.
THE EFFECTS OF
ECSTASY
MDMA is effective at the moderate single dose level of 75-100 mg;
effects are experienced after 20-60 minutes and can last for several
hours.
EFFECTS
PHYSICAL
Dilated pupil
Jaw tightens
Nausea
Sweating
Dry mouth and throat
Rise in blood pressure and heat rate
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Depression
Convulsions
Coma
Fits
Headaches
Unexplained pain
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Euphoric ‘rush’
Serenity
Calmness
Anger
Hostility
Psychedelic
Visual Imagery
Auxiety
Panic
Confusion
Insomnia
Psychosis
Visual and auditory hallucination
ECSTASY IN BRUNEI
DARUSSALAM
Brunei Darussalam has recorded only one arrest relating to ecstasy
seizure in July 1998. The drug was smuggled into Brunei Darussalam by a
foreigner of ethnic Chinese background. The appearance of MDMA varies
considerably depending on the actual content of the drug, ranging from
yellow or white tablets to pink, currently traded under ‘Apple’ sign,
‘MJ’ and so on. But each new batch of drugs seem to come attached with
their own brand names; both change with bewildering regularity.
The street price range for MDMA varies between B$150.00 - B$180.00 (high
grade) a tablet or B$80.00 (low grade) a tablet and is believed the drug
is targetted for ethnic Chinese community.
LEGAL STATUS
On 23rd November 1998, in order to stay ‘one jump ahead’ of the
trafficker, the Government of Brunei Darussalam introduced an amendment
to the Misuse of Drugs Act designed to control all amphetamine type
stimulant (ATS) compounds including MDMA. This amendment put these drugs
in Class A, the category reserved for drugs deemed to be most harmful
where the penalties for dealing are consequently the most stringent -
death penalty for trafficking, and import or export of more than 15
grammes and for possession of more than 30 grammes.
MDMA is also listed in the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act
which prohibits doctors from prescribing it and is a Designated Drug
meaning that a licence from the Ministry of Health is required to use
the drug for research purposes.
RESOURCE
MATERIALS / BIBLIOGRAPHY
-
Constitution of Brunei Darussalam,
MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT, Government Publication
Department.
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Institute for the study of Drug Dependence (1996).
A guide to the effects of drugs and to
the social and legal facts about their non-medical use in
Britain,
Drug Abuse Briefing, Sixth edition 6.
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Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)) and
National Police Agency Of Japan (NPA) (1994)
Anti Drug Activities In
Japan.
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Shane Blackman (1996) Drugs,
Education and the National Curriculum an evaluation of ‘Drug Studies:
a resource for the National Curriculum’,Drug Prevention
Initiative, Home Office Paper II.
-
The Drug Offensive (1993)
Illicit Psychostimulant Use In
Australia,
Australian Government Publishing Service.
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U.S. Department of Justice, DEA (1996)
Drugs of
Abuse,
U.S. Government Printing Office.
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Victoria Forensic Science Centre (1997)
National Drug Identification - Tablets and Capsules,
Australian Bureau Of Criminal Intelligence.
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