Use characteristics and harm potential of ecstasy in The Netherlands
Jan Van Amsterdam, Johannes G. Ramaekers, Ton Nabben, Wim van den Brink
Drugs Education Prevention and Policy September 10, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2020.1818692 via OpenAlex
Summary
Ecstasy (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug with low abuse and dependence liability compared to several other illicit drugs and alcohol, and there is little evidence of long-term harm. A potential health risk is acute hyperthermia, which occurs at an unknown incidence rate and is more prevalent when ecstasy is consumed with heavy exercise at high ambient temperatures or with other substances including alcohol. However, illegal production and trade in the Netherlands have developed into a serious public order and ecological problem, with organized crime related to production and trafficking growing. This review provides a science-based summary to assist debate on future Dutch ecstasy policy to reduce organized crime while maintaining harm reduction.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Harm reduction Recreational drug Psychiatry |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | Ecstasy has low abuse and dependence liability and little evidence of long-term harm, but its illegal production and trade in the Netherlands have become a serious public order and ecological problem linked to organized crime. |
Abstract
Introduction Ecstasy (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug, but its illegal production and trade in the Netherlands have developed into a serious public order and ecological problem which endanger and question the harm reduction approach of the Dutch ecstasy policy.Methods The market characteristics, adverse health effects, risk profile, and link to criminal activity of ecstasy were reviewed.Results Ecstasy is often used in combination with other substances (i.e. polydrug use). Compared to several other illicit drugs and alcohol, ecstasy has a very low abuse and dependence liability and, as yet, there is little evidence of long-term harm. A potential health risk associated with ecstasy is acute hyperthermia, however this occurs at an unknown incidence rate and seems to be more prevalent when ecstasy is consumed in combination with heavy exercise at high ambient temperatures or when used in combination with other substances, including alcohol. Organized crime related to the production and trafficking of ecstasy in the Netherlands is a growing problem.Conclusions This review provides a science-based summary that can be used to assist the public and political debate surrounding future Dutch ecstasy policy to reduce ecstasy-related organized crime while maintaining the principle of harm reduction.