Characteristics and social representation of ecstasy in Europe - Irefrea

The message in all the campaigns is that you actually shouldn’t take ecstasy, but ifyou do it anyway, you should take some precautions to do it as safe as possible.A little flyer of the Jellinek institute, which is titled XTC Stay awake, starts to saythat not all pills which are sold as ecstasy contain MDMA. Since the quality is notreliable, the use involves extra risks. Because it’s quite a new drug, we don’t know verymuch about it. So the best way not running risks is not using it at all. As for all drugs:the more and the more often you use, the more risks you run. A few cases have beendescribed in which ecstasy use ended up in death. Probably a combination of factors,such as dehydration, overheating, a large dose and a mixture of drugs, played a part.Then they explain that chilling, resting and drinking of water or (isotonic) drinks arevery important at high temperatures. The flyer ends with saying that one can getinformation and help at CAD’s (Consultation Centers for Alcohol and Drugs).The Unity Project distributes other, more extensive brochures. They have differentones for girls and boys. They give information about the effects, risks, the law, testing,help and so on.Another flyer made by Adviesburo Drugs says: Real XTC is MDMA, but beside thistwo other substances are sold as XTC, both with other effects. MDA: it works longerthan MDMA, between six and eight hours and contains more hallucinogens (LSD like)depending from the dose, with all risks involved; MDEA: this substance comes underthe Opium Law since 1993. It works quicker as MDMA, but shorter. After two or threehours it suddenly ends. This inclines one to take another pill, but the effect will changethen: you will sit by yourself, not talking and dancing anymore. If you want moreinformation, ask the brochure. The brochure which is made by Adviesbureau Drugscontains five issues: How XTC works; XTC: what exactly are you buying?; TakingXTC; XTC and other drugs; XTC: contraindications. There’s an English version, so youcan have a look for yourself.Sometimes the Adviesbureau finds it necessary to start a warning-campaign tocertain pills. An example (march 1992): Warning to all ecstasy users. As you knowmany bad pills are sold as ecstasy. From analyses we know that it’s been worse last days.We get pills with very high doses of speed (amphetamines), pills containing MDA (ahallucinogen ‘relative’ of MDMA) and pills containing nothing. Be alert to:–a big, light-blue pill which in fact is speed;–looks alike of the so-called Salmiaks. This pill has become unreliable;–white flat pills (9 to 4 mm), grooved on one side; this one contains Ketamine, anarcotic.A really different message is given by a foundation, named Naar house (this meansback home). It’s an evangelical foundation which tries to prevent the ravers from goingto hell. They are often present at the entrance of rave events distributing fruits andleaflets. One can have a good chat with one of the members in their bus. Some of theirleaflets are also available in English.167