[jayef]

You didn't read the article then and your facts don't match up. You said an overdose of extasy. That is not what causes coma. Read it again and then read about what MDMA actually does, and you will understand that there is no such thing as an extasy "overdose".

[VRWC_minion]

Unfortunately, the acute toxicity of MDMA has also become apparent in humans. With the rise of rave culture in the UK reports of severe reactions, including fatalities after the use of 'ecstasy' appeared in the medical literature. They were reviewed by Henry et al. (1992). The predominant toxicity patterns that emerge from these reports are fulminant hyperthermia, convulsions, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (blood clotting in the blood vessels), rhabdomyolysis (dissolution of skeletal muscle), and acute renal (kidney) failure. DIC and rhabdomyolysis may be brought about by the hyperthermic condition, and rhabdomyolysis can also be caused by acute renal failure. Acute liver failure is another serious complication reported in association with the use of MDMA and can also precipitate from a hyperthermic condition.2

[VRWC_minion]

Is this your point ? The drug was probably

PMA

Primarily sold in pills as false Ecstasy.

What is it?

In the 1970’s, PMA was used recreationally at low doses. It began to be passed off as MDA, a more sought after substance. Since average MDA dosages range significantly higher than those of PMA, several deaths resulted from this practice. PMA virtually disappeared from the recreational drug market for years until MDMA began to rise in popularity under the street name, Ecstasy. PMA began to appear as an adulterant in some Ecstasy tablets. Due to this, PMA has again been implicated in several deaths.

MDMA dosages range significantly higher than those of PMA. At even slightly increased doses, around 60-80 mg, PMA can become extremely dangerous, causing increased blood temperature and blood pressure. In recent cases, PMA has been sold as ecstasy, in pressed pill form indistinguishable from ecstasy and at unknown dosages.

Chemistry

Para-methoxy-amphetamine (C10H15NO) is more commonly known as PMA or 4-MA. While chemically related to the other amphetamines, including MDMA, PMA is one of the more dangerous of these substances for recreational use.

Despite some rumors, PMA is very unlikely to be a bi-product of MDMA synthesis. While a small quantity is produced legally for research purposes, most is produced in illicit laboratories. It appears in Ecstasy tablets as a result of deliberate misrepresentation somewhere in the chain of black market distribution.

Dosage

PMA is typically found in the form of pills, or rarely, powder, and is probably usually represented as other substances. At dosages less than 50 mg, PMA produces effects that may vaguely resemble those expected from MDE or MDA. At even slightly higher doses, 60-80 mg or higher, blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature may climb rapidly. At no dose does it mimic MDMA’s unique tendency to produce euphoria and a sense of connection with others.

Effects

Taken alone, at a very low dose, PMA produces increased energy and visual distortions and hallucinations. Some users have reported an alcohol-like sense of intoxication. It can produce dilated pupils, erratic eye movements, and nausea, just as MDMA and its analogs cause in some users. Body temperature is elevated and pulse rate climbs somewhat. When combined with other substances or at higher doses, PMA can cause convulsions, hyperthermia (overheating), cardiac arrest, kidney failure or coma. These conditions could conceivably lead to death.

Risks

When pressed into pill form, PMA is indistinguishable from MDMA by sight or taste. Adulterant screening kits can test for Ecstasy tablets that contain adulterant substances, such as PMA. There is no way for a user to determine the dosage of such pill.

Though PMA may be purchased and sold by dealers who genuinely believe that their product is a less hazardous substance, such as MDMA, it is still considered especially risky to purchase any substance from a dealer the user does not know well.

Increasing the dosage rapidly increases potential for disastrous consequences. Taking multiple, untested, pills at one time increases the possibility of overdosing on an adulterant substance such as PMA

PMA is especially dangerous in combination with other amphetamine related compounds, alcohol, cocaine, and prescription medications, including Prozac. These and other combinations can compound the danger and the likelihood of overdose.

The only way to eliminate risk is to abstain from taking illicit substances. Since some people will not abstain, it is important that they have access to information that can help them stay healthy.

[VRWC_minion]

http://www.the-hub-ni.com/health/drugs/ecstacy.htm

The biggest danger posed by E in the close, sweaty environs of a club or rave is heat-stroke. The drug causes body temperature to raise anyway, and if the user then dances for hours it rises even more. Literally, pints of body fluid can be sweated out, and a sudden huge rise in body temperature can lead to blood clotting in places where it shouldn't, often the lungs. Air is blocked, leading to convulsions, coma and death. Why this happens in some people after a seemingly small amount and not others who have consumed more is unknown, although a theory is that those who die are missing an enzyme called cytochrome P450246 which breaks down ecstasy in the body.

[VRWC_minion]

HALLUCINOGENS

Phencyclidine (PCP) interrupts the functions of the neocortex, the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. Because the drug blocks pain receptors, violent PCP episodes may result in self-inflicted injuries. The effects of PCP vary, but users frequently report a sense of distance and estrangement. Time and body movement are slowed down. Muscular coordination worsens and senses are dulled. Speech is blocked and incoherent. In later stages of chronic use, users often exhibit paranoid and violent behavior and experience hallucinations. Large doses may produce convulsions and coma, as well as heart and lung failure.

Lysergic acid (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin cause illusions and hallucinations. The physical effects may include dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and tremors. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased.
 

Type	Slang Terms	What does it look like?	How is it used?
Phencyclidine (Sernylan)	PCP, Hog, Angel Dust, Peace Pill	Liquid, white crystalline powder, pills, powder	Oral, Injected, smoked (sprayed on joints or cigarettes)
LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)	Acid, Microdot,Cubes, Blotter	Colored tablets, blotterpaper, clear liquid, thin squares of gelatin	Oral (can be put in the eyes)
Mescaline and Peyote (Big Chief, Mescal)	Mesc, Buttons, and Cactus	Hard brown discs, tablets, capsules	Oral
Other Hallucinogens (Psilocybin, DMY, DET, Psilocyn)	Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Sacred Mushrooms, Mushrooms	Fresh or dried mushrooms	Oral, injected, snorted, smoked
Amphetimine,Variants: DMA, PMA, STP, MDA, MDMA, TMA, DOM, DOB	Ecstacy, Designer Drugs, Adam, Eve, Peace	pills, capsules	Oral

[VRWC_minion]

Parents are unlikely to be on hand when Ecstasy attacks their teenagers. Minutes after Cape Town student Claire Wilson, 17, swallowing her first Ecstasy tablet at a private party at a Cape Town nightclub in February, she was violently sick. Partygoers ignored her when the teenager groaned: "I’m going to die! I’m going to die!" Overwhelmed with thirst, she drank ten litres of water in less than an hour. Then, at midnight, she collapsed from heat exhaustion. Friends took her home and nursed her through the night. By 8am she had drifted into a coma. An ambulance rushed her to hospital. Her mother, who had been staying in Paarl for the weekend, arrived in time to witness Claire’s temperature fall then rise dramatically. "She began making guttural noises like a wild beast,; she recalls. "We thought she was dying."

[VRWC_minion]

Ecstasy
Official Names: M.D.M.A.
Street Name: "E", Disco Biscuits, Rhubarb, and Custard, "Dennis the Menace", "Shamrock", Disco Burgers, Love Doves, United, Cities.
Drug Effect: Hallucinogenic Amphetamine

What is it?
Effects
Risks
Law
First-Aid response

What is it?
Ecstasy is one of the members of the M.D.A. family. It combines some of the effects of amphetamine and hallucinogens such as LSD. It is usually sold as tablets with a range of distinctive markings and colours. (hence the variety of street names).

Top

Effects
• Ecstasy is usually taken at "raves" or at discos to produce a feeling of relaxation with increased energy, happiness and flexibility. In addition it causes a calming effect with a warm friendly feeling towards others hence it is known as "the love drug". Users generally feel less inhibited, experience everything more intensely. Ecstasy takes effect in 20-60 minutes, usually is at its height for about 2 hours and can last for several hours after that.

• Aggressive, violent feelings are suppressed; there may be increased self-awareness and increased perception of vision and music.

• In addition to these, M.D.M.A causes a rise in blood pressure, heartbeat and temperature. Other physical effects include a tingling sensation on the skin, jaw stiffness, pupil dilatation, grinding of the teeth, dry mouth, tremors, muscle tension and blurred vision. Palpitations and sweating after using the drug can occur.

• When the effects subside there is frequently a feeling of tiredness. Some users report a "head rush" while on the drug, which results in a blanking out of sound and vision for up to three minutes.

• Whether the experience is "bad or good" often depends on the mood and expectations of the user and how comfortable the user feels in their immediate surroundings

• Anyone suffering from epilepsy, diabetes, asthma or pre-existing heart disease is particularly vulnerable to having symptoms brought on suddenly with severe consequences.
Top

Risks
• Experts are concerned that long term use of ecstasy may increase the risk of severe depression and other mental illnesses in later life. The biggest danger with "E" in the close sweaty environment of a club or rave is that of. "heat stroke" The drug causes body-temperature to rise, and if the user then dances, for hours it rises even more. Literally, pints of body fluids can be sweated out, and a sudden rise in body temperatures, can lead to blood clotting in places where it shouldn't, often the lungs, Air is blocked, leading to convulsion, coma and death. Signs of heatstroke include; heat cramps in the legs, arms and back, dizziness, headache, vomiting, fainting, sudden attacks of extreme fatigue and irritability.

• General advice for all users is to take a pint of fluid per hour (not alcohol -it also dehydrates) to avoid heat stroke. Sip no more than a pint of fluid, fruit juice, isotonic drink or water is recommended. Drinking too much water is also a risk.

• No two "E" tabs are the same: because they are produced synthetically they are often mixed with a wide range of substances which can adversely effect the user.

• Pyschological addiction occurs with repeated usage. Increasingly large amounts are needed to achieve the same results.
Top

Law
• Under Misuse of Drugs Act, it is illegal to sell, possess or supply this drug.
Top

First - Aid response
If feelings of tension, anxiety and panic arise
• Calm the person down and be reassuring.

• Talk quietly and explain that these feelings will pass.

• Keep them away from loud noises and bright lights.

• If they begin to breathe very quickly, calm them down and encourage them to take long slow breaths.

If someone is overheating
• Move to a cooler, quiet area (outside is often best).

• Remove excess clothing and try to cool them down.

• Encourage them to sip non-alcoholic fluids such as soft drinks.

• If symptoms persist, call an ambulance, but make sure that someone stays with them.

What to do if someone faints
• Call an ambulance immediately. Put the person in the recovery position.

• Loosen any tight clothing that might restrict breathing Check their breathing.

• If they are not breathing, use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. When ambulance crew arrives, explain what has happened and