Death rates from ecstasy (MDMA, MDA) and polydrug use in England and Wales 1996-2002

Fabrizio Schifano, A. Oyefeso, John Corkery, K. Cobain, R. Jambert-Gray, G. Martinotti, A. Hamid Ghodse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

78 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The present study reports on all deaths related to taking ecstasy (alone, or in a polydrug combination) occurring in England and Wales in the time frame August 1996-April 2002. Data presented here are based on all information recorded in the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (np-SAD) database. The np-SAD regularly receives all information on drug related deaths in addicts and non addicts from coroners. A total of 202 ecstasy-related fatalities occurred in the chosen time-frame, showing a steady increase in the number of deaths each year. The ratio male:female was 4:1 and 3 of 4 victims were younger than 29. In 17% of cases ecstasy was the sole drug implicated in death and in the remaining cases a number of other drugs (mostly alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines and opiates) have been found. According to toxicology results, MDMA accounted for 86% of cases and MDA for 13% of cases; single deaths were associated with MDEA and PMA. This is the largest sample of ecstasy related deaths so far; possible explanations are given for the observed steady increase in ecstasy-related deaths and a tentative 'rationale' for this polypharmacy combination is then proposed. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)519-524
Number of pages6
JournalHuman Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental
Volume18
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Keywords

  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Cannabinoids
  • Cocaine
  • Drug Interactions
  • England
  • Ethanol
  • Female
  • Hallucinogens
  • Heroin
  • Humans
  • Male
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
  • Wales

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