Although there are inherent dangers in the misuse of any drugs there is a particular concern at this time regarding a substance which has been found in ‘Ecstasy’ tablets in Ireland and across Europe in recent times.
This substance is Paramethoxymethylamphetamine (PMMA) or Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA). There have already been a number of deaths where this substance has been implicated in this jurisdiction. An Garda Siochana and the Health Service Executive are extremely keen to make people aware of the dangers of this substance so that further deaths can be avoided.
The pills where this substance has been detected on analysis in recent months are green pills with the logo of an ‘Apple’ embossed on them, green pills with the logo of a ‘Rolex’ symbol and also in white pills with a ‘Mitsubishi’ logo. ‘Ecstasy’ tablets are traditionally expected to contain Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). The reality is that even aside from the three aforementioned pills known at this time to contain PMMA other pills that come onto the illicit drug market may also contain this dangerous substance. PMMA has also been implicated in deaths in Ireland where it is known it was taken in powder form.
Evidence has shown that the effect of this substance is different to MDMA as the onset of the drug is slower meaning that people are known to take more to achieve the feeling that they may expect from traditional MDMA. This has led to rapidly increased heart rate, extremely high body temperatures, respiratory failure and sometimes death. Ahead of the summer months and upcoming music festivals the Health Service and An Garda Siochana, working together, wish to do everything possible to raise awareness with regard to the dangers of this substance and prevent any further tragic deaths.
Members of the media wishing to speak with a spokesperson from An Garda Siochana in relation to this are asked to e-mail their requests to pressoffice@garda.ie.
