Ecstasy (MDMA) Deaths in New York City: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Between 1997 and 2000, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner recorded 22 deaths in which MDMA (ecstasy) was detected. Thirteen of these deaths resulted from acute drug intoxication, seven from mechanical injuries such as blunt trauma or gunshot wounds, and two from a combination of natural disease and drug intoxication. Recent opiate or cocaine use was found in seven of the acute intoxication deaths but in none of the traumatic or combined natural disease and intoxication deaths. All decedents were White, aged 17 to 41 years, and 18 of the 22 were men.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract MDMA (“ecstasy”) has gained renewed popularity as a drug of abuse. To access the epidemiology and causes of death of MDMA-positive fatalities, all deaths investigated by the OCME that tested positive for MDMA (22 deaths) between January 1997 and June 2000 were reviewed. There were three deaths in each 1997 and 1998, eleven in 1999, and five in the first part of 2000. Of these 22 deaths, 13 were due to acute drug intoxications, 7 due to mechanical injury (blunt trauma, gunshot wounds), and 2 due to a combination of natural disease and acute drug intoxication. Evidence of recent opiate and/or cocaine use was found in 7 of the acute intoxication deaths and in none of the traumatic or combination natural/intoxication deaths. The race of all decedents was White between the ages of 17–41 years, and 18 of 22 were men.