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Ecstasy (MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB) consumption, seizures, related offences, prices, dosage levels and deaths in the UK (1994-2003).
- Source :
-
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) [J Psychopharmacol] 2006 May; Vol. 20 (3), pp. 456-63. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
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 (1994-2003) 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-per-year 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.
- Subjects :
- 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine administration & dosage
3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine adverse effects
3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine analogs & derivatives
3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine economics
Amphetamine-Related Disorders economics
Amphetamine-Related Disorders epidemiology
Amphetamine-Related Disorders mortality
Cause of Death
Crime statistics & numerical data
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug and Narcotic Control statistics & numerical data
Humans
Illicit Drugs economics
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine administration & dosage
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine economics
Statistics as Topic
United Kingdom
Amphetamine-Related Disorders complications
Crime legislation & jurisprudence
Drug and Narcotic Control legislation & jurisprudence
Illicit Drugs adverse effects
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine adverse effects
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0269-8811
- Volume :
- 20
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16574720
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881106060147