Five deaths related to ecstasy in Calgary
Posted Jan 11, 2012 10:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Two more people have died after ingesting what they thought was ecstasy, bringing the number up to five in Calgary over the past couple months.
Toxicology reports show the chemical paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) in all victims; a chemical health officials say is five times more toxic than ecstasy.
Police say in all cases, the individuals thought they were taking ecstasy, whose main is component is methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
“This is a prime example of the gamble people take when they use illegal drugs,” says S/Sgt. Mike Bossley of the Calgary Police Service Drug Unit. “You never know what is in your drug: yesterday it was MDMA, today it’s PMMA, and tomorrow it could be something else. There is no safe street drug, and no safe dose of a street drug.”
In all cases, Dr. Mark Yarema, Medical Director, Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS) says the victims suffered from the same symptoms, seizures, irregular heart beats and hypothermia.
“There are some important differences in the toxicity of PMMA compared to MDMA,” says Dr. Yarema. “Although all have toxic effects, PMMA is considered more toxic than MDMA, with a higher incidence of seizures and elevated body temperature. Also, the onset of action of PMMA is delayed and its initial effect may be milder. This is dangerous as it may result in users ingesting several tablets to achieve a desired effect, with potentially fatal consequences.”
In November, a 16-year-old boy was rushed to hospital in critical condition and later died.
In December, four men died. They were aged 18, 25, 29 and 31. All were taken to hospital where they later died.
