The Global Drug Survey 2016 reveals a massive increase in MDMA use in Ireland.
58.1% of Irish respondents to the GDS, which ran here in conjunction with Hot Press, report taking either MDMA pills or crystals, which represents a 19.5% increase on last year.
The potency of pills has escalated to 100-150mg, with some containing as much as 330mg meaning that it’s easier than ever before to overdose on MDMA. The harm reduction message is, as usual, to start with half a pill and see how quickly and strongly it kicks in before contemplating taking more.
“After a three-year period of dissatisfaction in MDMA due to poor quality and uncertain use, MDMA is confidently back thanks to new precursors and synesthetic pathways for production,” says GDS coordinator Dr. Adam Winstock. “The current dominance of MDMA crystals over pills represents smart remarketing and is yet another example of an old drug finding new life with a new preparation. It may also open the way for injecting, which of course would not be good.”
Prices remain pretty much constant with the average Irish MDMA pill retailing for €9 and crystal powders costing €55.40 per gram. 1.5% here sought emergency medical treatment as a result of their MDMA use, while 6.8% stated that they had been exposed to violence in the last year when attempting to buy it.

* The Global Drug Survey 2016 was conducted in association with global media partners including Hot Press in the Republic of Ireland