Netherlands National Drug Monitor - Research and Documentation ...

5 Ecstasy, amphetamine and
related substances
The official name for Ecstasy is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Other
substances that are chemically similar to MDMA – or indeed substances that bear no
resemblance to it - are also sold as Ecstasy without the user being aware of the difference.
These include MDA, MDEA, MBDB and amphetamines. In this chapter, unless
otherwise indicated, ‘Ecstasy’ is understood to mean substances that are experienced or
passed off as Ecstasy. By amphetamines we mean both ‘ordinary’ amphetamine - and
methamphetamine, the stronger variant - unless otherwise indicated.
Ecstasy has a stimulating and entactogenic effect. An entactogenic effect means that
people feel drawn to each other and make contact more easily. This combination of
qualities has contributed to Ecstasy’s reputation as a party or dance drug. The addictive
effect is thought to be low. Ecstasy is generally swallowed in the form of tablets.
Sometimes it is dissolved as a powder in a drink and then taken. User names for Ecstasy
tablets are often derived from the logo stamped on the pills, such as “mitsubishi”, “lover
boy” or “superman’. High dose pills are sometimes called “Super X” or “triple stacks”.
Other street names include “E”, “Rolls”, “Adam”, “Hug Drug”, “Disco biscuits”, “White
Doves” “New Yorkers”, “sweeties” and “wafers” (Nabben et al., 2008).
Amphetamine likewise has a stimulating effect, stronger than Ecstasy, but has no entactogenic
effect. Amphetamine is used socially, but also by opiate or polydrug addicts.
Frequent use can lead to dependence. This risk is greater for methamphetamine than
for ordinary amphetamine. The user name for amphetamine is “speed”. User names
for methamphetamine are “crystal”, “ice”, “tina”, “yaba” and “meth” (Nabben et
al., 2008). In the Netherlands, amphetamines are generally swallowed or snorted, and
sometimes injected. Methamphetamine is sometimes smoked. Among rural youth,
amphetamine is sometimes used as a cheaper alternative to cocaine. Used in this way,
amphetamine is known in Dutch as ‘farmer’s coke’ (Schaafsma 2008).
5.1 Recent facts and trends
The most important facts and trends about Ecstasy and amphetamines in this chapter
are:
• The use of Ecstasy and amphetamine among pupils of secondary schools shows a
declining trend between 1996 and 2007. The sharpest decline took place between
1996 and 1999 (§ 5.3).
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