Netherlands National Drug Monitor - Research and Documentation ...

together with another substance) was 14% in 2008 and 22% in the first half of
2009. In 2007 and 2006 the numbers were 10% and 9% respectively.
- In 2009, however, for the first time other pharmacologically active substances were
found in Ecstasy tablets. These include 4-fluoramphetamine and mephedrone (see
Other Substances).
• The percentage of ‘Ecstasy pills’ containing no MDMA-like substance, but instead
containing amphetamine or methamphetamine rose from 1.4% in 2008 to 4% in the
first half of 2009.
• The average amount of MDMA in Ecstasy pills rose from 74 mg in 2006 to 82 mg
in 2007, stabilising at an average of 81 mg in 2008. In the first half of 2009 there
was a sharp drop to 65 mg. The highest dosage measured in 2009 was 203 mg; this
compares to 20 mg in 2008 and 199 mg in 2007.
• Figure 5.6 shows that the proportion of high-dose Ecstasy pills (more than 105 mg
MDMA) on average remained stable in 2007 and 2008 (30%). There was a sharp
drop in this rate to 9% in the second quarter of 2009.
• These trends suggest a reduced availability of MDMA in the second half of 2008 and
the first half of 2009.
Table 5.8 Number and composition of (Ecstasy) tablets submitted to DIMS that were analysed in the
lab, from 1999
Total number of
tablets analysed
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 IV
1 805 2 462 2 359 2 130 2 177 1 985 2 134 2 523 2 319 2 185 I 1 140
MDMA 83.7 87.6 86.1 84.9 85.4 85.6 76.0 75.4 78.8 69.5 52.2
MDEA 1.6 0.8 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3
MDA 2.4 1.9 0.6 1.4 0.9 1.9 2.9 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.3
MBDB 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Combination of 1.0 2.7 2.5 1.5 2.2 4.4 5.2 0.8 0.9 0.9 3.1
ces II
Ecstasy-like substan-
Combination of
Ecstasy-like II and other
pharmacologically
active substance III 5.1 4.1 7.4 8.2 8.3 5.4 7.8 13.0 11.0 9.4 14.0
(Meth)Amphetamine 3.0 0.7 0.7 1.7 1.0 0.3 3.9 0.9 0.4 0.5 1.8
(Meth)amphetamine
+ other
Other pharmacologically
active substance
No pharmacologically
active substance
0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.9 0.3 0.9 2.2
2.2 1.4 1.1 0.8 0.6 1.7 3.2 7.1 7.3 15.3 24.6
0.6 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 1.2 0.8 3.3 1.5
Percentage of tablets containing a particular substance or combination of substances. Categories are mutually
exclusive and add up to 100 percent. I. Total after correction. II. Ecstasy-like means MDMA, MDEA,
MDA or MBDB . III. For instance, caffeine, paracetamol and mCPP. IV. Only the first six months of 2009.
Source: DIMS.
5 Ecstasy, amphetamine and related substances
127