The international drug market has shifted drastically across all territories, with new research led by criminologists and chemists sharing a sharp increase in fake MDMA.
The research was based on fieldwork and conducted by drug checking charity The Loop and found that 45% of samples sold as MDMA at English festivals last summer contained no MDMA.
They were instead made up of substances such as cathinones (a substance similar to amphetamine) and caffeine. The presence of MDMA fell from 93% in 2019 to 55% last year.
“This study illustrates how cathinones are mis-sold as MDMA during periods of scarcity in the MDMA market," says Dr Michael Pascoe who co-lead the study.
“COVID-19 lockdowns and the shutdown of UK nightlife led to a slump in demand for ‘party drugs’ and suppliers scaled back production. Then, as UK nightlife re-opened ahead of other European countries, demand outpaced supply.
"This was compounded by Brexit-related supply chain disruptions affecting distribution. During this unprecedented turbulence in the drug market, substances that look like MDMA were mis-sold to unknowing customers.”
Given Australia's distance from the world, it would be no surprise if the illicit drug market in Australia is more fraudulent than ever.
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The report states that this rise in fake MDMA, “poses additional unknown risks to the health of people who use illicit drugs." Cathinones can create prolonged insomnia, panic and psychosis.
