MDMA is in the news again, and as usual, the reports aren’t good. This time at least twelve people were hospitalized on February 22, 2015 after Molly was distributed at a party at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
The Initial Report
Early Sunday morning paramedics were called to the scene. Upon arrival they found several partygoers suffering from what appeared to be an overdose of MDMA, or Molly. A total of twelve people were hospitalized for overdose, and four of them had to be transferred to Hartford Hospital for more extensive treatment. Wesleyan students were updated by email on the condition of the patients throughout the day, and were urged to check in on other friends to make sure no one else was in need of medical attention.
The Aftermath
At least three more students had trickled into local hospitals by Monday, February 23. Most of the students were released from the hospitals within a couple of days, but 3 remained in Hartford Hospital for care, one in critical condition. Campus authorities and Middletown Police officers followed up on tips from students to locate four suspects who were thought to be involved in the manufacturing and distribution of the drugs that caused problems at the party. Upon searching the rooms of these four students, police found various drugs, ingredients, and other paraphernalia. The suspects have been arrested and suspended from school.
A Bad Batch
In the aftermath of this crisis, it appears that the drugs ingested by people at the party were not a pure form of MDMA. The health-care workers, who treated the overdose patients, saw that the drugs contained other chemicals, but were unsure of their nature. Middletown Police Chief William McKenna said, “This particular batch may have had a mixture of several kinds of designer drug chemicals, making the health risks unpredictable and treatment to combat the effects complex and problematic.”
This shines the spotlight back on the issue of party drugs being so risky, even when users think they’re taking a clean, precise dose. There’s really no way of knowing exactly what you’re taking when you use party drugs, or how much of it you’re taking. Even “reputable” dealers can be given a bad batch, and this can cause serious health problems for those who take it. The only way to be sure you’re being safe about party drugs is to not take them at all. Michael Roth, President of Wesleyan University, issued a statement saying, “Please, please stay away from illegal substances, the use of which can put you in extreme danger. One mistake can change your life forever.”
Mitch Webb serves as the Technology Director at Shadow Mountain Recovery. He has worked in the substance abuse field for the past six years. His experience at several other treatment centers is instrumental in implementing new technology and systems at Shadow Mountain Recovery. Mitch has a passion for helping individuals and their families recover from the disease of addiction.
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