HSC warns against high-strength MDMA

Wednesday 21 August 2019

Health and Social Care is warning people in Guernsey of a particularly dangerous batch of MDMA, after a man died in Jersey.

At the moment, the batch has not been reported in the Bailiwick, but HSC is asking anyone thinking of taking the drug to consider the possible consequences.

The 29-year-old Jerseyman passed away in the early hours of Monday morning following a suspected "severe reaction" to the substance.

Jersey Police recently issued a warning against 'Skype' pills - which are reportedly three times as strong as 'normal' MDMA - after five users in the island were hospitalised.

With the possibility of the batch making its way over to Guernsey, local potential users are being urged to think before deciding whether to take the Class A drug.

The amount of MDMA in each tablet can vary significantly and the manufacturing process can result in some pills taking much longer to breakdown inside the body. That means the sought-after high can be delayed, making users believe they are taking a low-strength substance and then multiple dosing in an attempt to get the desired effect.

MDMA is known to have very dangerous and potentially toxic side effects. They include hypothermia and dehydration, with some people experiencing very low sodium levels from drinking excessive water to rehydrate.

"Please think about the risk to you and the damage to your body by taking a drug without any idea of the strength and the content," said Guernsey Drug & Strategy Coordinator Andrea Nightingale. "It really isn't worth it."

Jersey Police have not yet made any "direct links" between the man's death and the high-strength batch.

Pictured top: File image.