Ecstasy price in SA has dropped to as low as $7
PARTYGOERS in South Australia can buy an ecstasy tablet for the same price as a pint of beer, prompting renewed health warnings about the extreme dangers posed by the drug.
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PARTYGOERS in South Australia can buy an ecstasy tablet for the same price as a pint of beer, prompting renewed health warnings about the extreme dangers posed by the drug.
As the nation grapples with an ice epidemic that is wreaking havoc and ruining lives, new figures reveal the state’s ecstasy prices are cheaper than ever and hospital admissions from overdoses have almost quadrupled in the past five years.
Health experts warn the availability of ecstasy, and the vulnerability of young people, is a dangerous and potentially fatal combination that can lead to more lethal drugs.
They say the risks associated with the party drug increase when MDMA is replaced by compound synthetic stimulants in the manufacturing process.
Australian Medical Association SA immediate past president Dr Patricia Montanaro said illicit drugs could be “extremely dangerous” regardless of whether they were cheap or expensive.
“Whatever the cost, there are no guarantees as to what you are actually getting. What may be sold as ecstasy (MDMA) may in fact have little or no MDMA in it,” she said.
“Other drugs or substances can be used instead, even household cleaning products. Whether it is what you think it is, or whether it is something else, the results can be fatal.”
Dr Montanaro said negative effects of ecstasy included anxiety, cracked teeth from grinding, dehydration and chronic sleeping problems through to severe depression, memory impairment and death from heart failure.
“In hot and humid conditions, such as clubs, people can overheat and become dehydrated, but another risk is drinking extreme amounts of water. Both can result in death,” she said.
“There are added risks when ecstasy is mixed with other drugs — alcohol, illicit drugs, or antidepressants.
“The availability of illicit drugs such as ecstasy, and the vulnerability of young people, makes for a dangerous combination.”
One ecstasy tablet costs between $7 and $40, according to the 2013-14 Australian Crime Commission Illicit Drug Data Report.
The median price has steadily dropped almost every year for the past 12 years, having cost between $30 and $80 in 2002-03.
At $7, it is about half the price of the next cheapest states — Western Australia and Tasmania — and costs similar to a 425ml beer at pubs, clubs and bars in SA.
SA Health figures show 84 people were admitted to hospital in the past five years having overdosed on ecstasy, increasing from six in 2010 to 23 in 2014.
Independent Forensic Consulting forensic toxicologist Dr Michael Robertson said MDMA present in ecstasy was less addictive and not as acutely toxic compared with crystal methamphetamine.
But he said the greatest danger was when compound synthetic stimulants, not MDMA, was used in the manufacture of ecstasy.
“Ecstasy in general does not kill people — it is usually the other stuff in the pill that kills people,” he said.
“What we are now dealing with is synthetic stimulants we refer to as the NBOMe compounds, which also look the same, or they are substituting the ecstasy with compounds like PMA where the chemical is referred to as death.
“You are told it is ecstasy and you take it and next minute you are in an emergency room.”
Dr Robertson said the price of ecstasy in SA was a concern because it showed it was more readily available to people who previously could not afford it.
“My concern would be that you start taking ecstasy ... and before long are taking more experimental stuff and that is where people can get themselves into mischief,” he said.
“The NBOMe-type compounds are the next logical step for someone who thinks MDMA is good but they want something better.”
He said ecstasy still presented a danger even though ice had become the national focus.
The Australian Crime Commission report states that international seizures of MDMA have increased after a decline in 2011.
In Australia, although detections dropped 21.6 per cent from 4139 in 2012-13 to 3247 in 2013-14, this was still the second highest number on record.
“Recent reporting indicates that the global availability of MDMA has increased as manufacturers find new ways to procure alternative chemicals to manufacture the drug.” the report states.
“MDMA produced in large-scale laboratories across Netherlands and Belgium is trafficked to international user markets, including Australia.”
Three MDMA drug laboratories were found across Australia in 2013-14, including one in South Australia.
In March this year, police seized 4215 ecstasy tablets, $5764 cash, and arrested 13 people after raiding 16 properties across the metropolitan area during a drug and organised crime operation.
In February last year, police uncovered the largest illicit drug laboratory found in South Australia at Walker Flat, which included more than 190,000 ecstasy tablets.
Serious and Organised Crime Branch Detective Superintendent Graham Goodwin said police were pleased when any illicit drugs were seized and taken off the streets.
“Illicit drugs, in contrast to prescription drugs, are not manufactured in controlled environments under strict standards, so you never know who has made them or what substances they contain, whatever the price they are purchased for on the street,” he said.
“I wish to remind the South Australian community (that) there are significant risks posed by taking these types of drugs.
“Any ecstasy tablets have the potential to harm or even kill the person that consumes it.”
A Drug and Alcohol Services SA spokeswoman said anyone who had a bad reaction to ecstasy should immediately contact 000.
“Ecstasy presents a real danger to those taking it and adverse effects can be fatal,” the spokeswoman said.
“There is no quality control over the contents of illicit drugs such as ecstasy and they often contain contaminants and other unknown substances.”
Anyone with information about the manufacture, possession, and sale of illicit drugs should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
steve.rice@news.com.au
