Warnings from Edmonton Police about ecstasy and PMMA
Eight deaths in Calgary since July, 2011 due to PMMA tainted ecstasy
Impossible to tell PMMA tainted ecstasy from ecstasy tablet
On January 28 in Edmonton, there were four non-fatal ecstasy overdoses at an electronic music concert that was held in the city. Edmonton police believe the overdoses are due to ecstasy that was tainted with PMMA, a potentially deadly drug.
PMMA is Paramethoxymethamphetamine, which is a compound not previously associated with ecstasy, but recently it has been ingested by people thinking they were taking ecstasy. PMMA is a very toxic drug that can overheat the body, leading to brain and organ damage.
Since July of last year, there have been eight PMMA related deaths in Calgary. On Wednesday, two 19-year old suspects from Calgary were arrested for trafficking ecstasy and the drugs tested from their alleged cache were tainted with PMMA. Calgary Police were quick to point out that even though police caught two suspects with the tainted drugs, that does not mean the PMMA danger has passed.
“Despite no confirmed cases of PMMA/Ecstasy overdoses in Edmonton, we are very concerned about people potentially dying. There is no guarantee that the tainted ecstasy won’t, or hasn’t already, arrived in our region,” says Det. Pilon, “You just never know what’s in the pills and any tablet can be contaminated at any time, and with anything. You are taking chances with your life.”
In 2009, there were two serious ecstasy-related overdoses in Edmonton. Two teen girls were taken to hospital, resulting in the death of one 14-year-old girl. Ecstasy was suspected in the death of a 19-year-old woman in Edmonton in May 2010 but the official cause of death could not be determined.
Edmonton Police warn the public that a tablet containing just ecstasy and a tablet tainted with PMMA looks just the same, and it’s impossible to tell what percentage of any drug or chemical makes up the tablets.
“There is no control in the manufacturing of ecstasy nor will the person selling these pills know what the true content is. Even though users are obtaining Ecstasy from a perceived reliable dealer, the dealer may not be aware of the contents of the pills he/she is selling,” says Det. Pilon.
The EPS will be present at all upcoming rave or electronic music events through out the City of Edmonton monitoring activity.
“Several electronic music events and raves are taking place in Edmonton over the next two weeks, starting this evening. If you will be in attendance at these events and participate in any illegal activities, you may be charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, or trafficking in a controlled substance,” says Det. Pilon.
For more information about this drug or other drugs that may be present at these events contact Alberta Health Services by visiting www.albertahealthservices.ca
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