Ecstasy (MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB) consumption, seizures, related offences, prices, dosage levels and deaths in the UK (1994–2003)

Over the last decade, the UK saw a yearly increase in ecstasy-related deaths, with 394 mentions identified from 1994 to 2003. In 42% of cases, ecstasy was the sole drug mentioned. The number of fatalities correlated positively with past-year use, number of drug offenders, and number of seizures, but negatively with ecstasy price. Price negatively correlated with use and seizures, and positively with average MDMA dosage per tablet. Other related drugs (MDA, MDEA, MBDB) appeared significantly only up to 1997. Increasing production and falling prices may have boosted consumption and deaths. Only medical death certificates were analyzed, not coroners' reports.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In the last decade, a global trend of escalating ecstasy (MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB) use was observed. Mentions on medical death certificates, last year's ecstasy use, number of drug offenders, seizures, prices and dosage levels figures were used for this descriptive and correlational study. Figures (1994ñ2003) were taken from the UK General Mortality Registers, from the Home Office Statistical Bulletins, from the British Crime Survey and from those reported to both the National Crime Intelligence and Forensic Science Services. A total of 394 ecstasy deaths mentions were here identified from the UK; in 42% of cases ecstasy was the sole drug mentioned. Overall, number of fatalities showed a year-peryear increase and positively correlated with: prevalence of last year's use ( p<0.01); number of offenders ( p<0.01) and number of seizures ( p<0.01) but negatively correlated with ecstasy price ( p<0.05). Price negatively correlated with: prevalence of last year's use ( p<0.001) and number of seizures ( p<0.01); but positively correlated with average MDMA dosage per tablet ( p<0.01). MDA, MDEA and MBDB accounted for a significant proportion of tablets only up to 1997, but not afterwards. Increasing production with a concomitant decrease in ecstasy price may have facilitated an increase in consumption levels and this, in turn, may have determined an increase in number of ecstasy deaths mentions. Only medical death certificates and not coroners' reports at the end of their inquests were here analysed; no data were available in respect of other drugs use and toxicology results.