In Hot Press 39-10, we publish details of the Global Drugs Survey – and what the answers tell us about Illegal Drug Consumption in Ireland. On hotpress.com over the next few weeks, we’ll continue to bring you extended coverage and data from the Survey, as an essential companion piece to the main articles in Hot Press.
The European-wide tripling of the number of MDMA users seeking emergency medical treatment since 2012 has been addressed by Dr. Adam Winstock, the Consultant Psychiatrist behind the Global Drug Survey 2015, which was conducted here in tandem with Hot Press, The Journal and Spin.
Speaking today in Lisbon, Dr. Winstock reveals that, contrary to popular opinion, it's the purity of ecstasy rather than contaminants which appears to be problematical.
"Pills with as much as 330mg have been reported in Europe, over three times what most people consider a single dose," he says. "Combined with unwise dosing strategies and poly drug use, better quality drugs - when you don’t know the quality/composition of your drugs - is placing users at increase of risk of harm."
Of the 23,000 GDS 2015 respondents who've taken ecstasy over the past 12 months, 202 reported seeking emergency medicate treatment as a result. Using the most conservative estimate possible, Dr. Winstock and his team calculate the risk of seeking EMT following a single episode of use as one in 575.
Rates of seeking emergency medical treatment in the previous 12 months were significantly higher in women than men (1.3% v 0.7%) with the highest rates in women under 21 years of age (2.2%). Higher rates were also seen in more frequent users, with over 3% of those reporting use on more than 50 occasions reporting seeking help and in those with a history of mental illness. Only one in eight of those who reported seeking emergency medical treatment had taken ecstasy on its own, with alcohol and other drug use being present in the remainder.
Body weight was not related to the risk of seeking emergency medical help. Most people presented with symptoms of anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations and extreme sweating consistent with excessive doses of a stimulant drug. Women reported more mood problems, paranoia and hallucinations. One quarter of respondents said it took three or more days to feel back to normal. The conclusion is that women under 21 with a history of mental health problems are the most vulnerable group when it comes to the risk of taking ecstasy leading to a hospital visit.
For in depth coverage , analysis and comment of Ireland’s answers in the Global Drugs Survey and “everything you need to know about drugs”, buy the new issue of Hot Press (39-10 with Nutini/Florence on the cover). It’s out now, nationwide @ €3.50