Death rates from ecstasy (MDMA, MDA) and polydrug use in England and Wales 1996-2002.
The present study reports on all deaths related to taking ecstasy (alone, or in a polydrug combination) occurring in England and Wales in the time frame August 1996-April 2002. Data presented here are based on all information recorded in the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (np-SAD) database. The np-SAD regularly receives all information on drug related deaths in addicts and non addicts from coroners. A total of 202 ecstasy-related fatalities occurred in the chosen time-frame, showing a steady increase in the number of deaths each year. The ratio male:female was 4:1 and 3 of 4 victims were younger than 29. In 17% of cases ecstasy was the sole drug implicated in death and in the remaining cases a number of other drugs (mostly alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines and opiates) have been found. According to toxicology results, MDMA accounted for 86% of cases and MDA for 13% of cases; single deaths were associated with MDEA and PMA. This is the largest sample of ecstasy related deaths so far; possible explanations are given for the observed steady increase in ecstasy-related deaths and a tentative 'rationale' for this polypharmacy combination is then proposed.
Schifano
F
F
National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths, Department Addictive Behaviour and Psychological Medicine, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK. fschifan@sghmc.ac.uk
Oyefeso
A
A
Corkery
J
J
Cobain
K
K
Jambert-Gray
R
R
Martinotti
G
G
Ghodse
A H
AH
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000506:poisoning*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000506:poisoning; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000506:poisoning; D003042:Cocaine / Q000506:poisoning; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000506:poisoning*; D003932:Heroin / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000506:poisoning*; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D002186:Cannabinoids; D006213:Hallucinogens; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000431:Ethanol; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; D003932:Heroin; D003042:Cocaine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine