Molly, also known as ecstasy, is a drug that can be mixed with other harmful drugs. However, some organizations test pills for purity at music festivals and raves to keep people safe.
These organizations, known as harm reduction services, use chemical testing kits to help attendees determine the purity of their drugs. These services have decreased the consumption of dangerous drugs and the risk of overdoses and other negative consequences.
Real-Time Testing
Molly is an illegal drug that has become increasingly dangerous over the years. In recent years, it has been mixed with various chemicals that make it toxic and, in some cases, deadly.
In the US, scientists and public health experts have started to show up at music festivals, concerts, raves, and other events where illicit drugs are a common occurrence to help people test pills for purity in real-time so that they can make informed decisions about whether they should use them or not. Equipped with special chemical testing kits, they work with attendees to determine what pills and powders are made of and how strong they are.
These volunteers are a part of the harm reduction movement, which is dedicated to preventing and reducing the use of illegal substances and other high-risk behaviors. Proponents of these programs argue that they can save lives by encouraging people not to take illegal drugs and preventing overdoses.
A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that pill-testing services, free and offered on-site at dance parties and other events in the United States, can be a valuable tool to fight the spread of this harmful drug. The results suggest that several people may choose not to take illegal drugs if they learn they are fake or adulterated.
This is because users who can test their drugs for purity and potency are more likely to reject them, which can reduce the risk of overdoses or other harm. In addition, they are more likely to follow safety instructions and make safer choices while at the party.
One of the main problems with ecstasy, also known as Molly, is it’s highly addictive. It can cause people to become depressed, have difficulty sleeping, and lose control of their bodies. It’s also been linked to severe health effects, including brain damage, seizures, and death.
This is why some countries like Portugal have opted for a harm reduction approach that encourages the testing of drugs and has proven to be successful in lowering the rate of drug abuse, overdoses, and related fatalities. While it’s a step in the right direction, more must be done to reduce the risks of this dangerous drug. For example, police and public health could agree on amnesty stations where users can bring their drugs for a quick drug test. This would lower the number of deaths and hospitalizations while also helping to keep local drug trends in check.
Preventing Overdoses
Fentanyl test strips, or FTS, are a simple, cheap, and evidence-based method of preventing overdose. They can be a lifesaver for the teen experimenting for the first time or an individual in the throes of a severe opioid use disorder. This concert-goer wants to have a safe trip or someone years into recovery.
The ubiquity of fentanyl and its analogs – 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine – has contributed to the rise in overdose deaths nationwide. These drugs are often mixed in cocaine, heroin, MDMA/ecstasy/Molly, or pressed into pills sold on the street. Many users are unaware that these contaminated drugs are dangerous, even deadly.
Because fentanyl and its analogs are so easily mixed into street drugs, knowing what you’re taking is challenging. As a result, many people have unwittingly taken more than they should and suffering from an overdose.
It’s hazardous when using MDMA (also known as Molly or Ecstasy) or molly-laced drugs such as bath salts, which can cause severe overstimulation and delirium. These narcotics can be mixed with MDMA to increase their potency.
Another drug that can lead to overdoses is MDPV, a synthetic cannibal compound commonly pressed into drugs. This substance is ten times more potent than MDMA and can cause fatal overstimulation or delirium.
These substances can be identified by using Marquis, Mecke, and Simon’s tests. The first two are used to identify the main chemical of the drug, and the third is used to differentiate MDMA from MDA, a related compound that is similar to MDMA but has other dangerous additives.
In the case of MDMA, a negative result from the first two tests is indicative that you aren’t taking the real thing. However, you may need to take a more advanced test like the Froehde or the 5-APB/ 6-APB testing kits if you are dealing with other chemicals that could be hazardous.
In a study by researchers from Brown University and Brown University School of Public Health, young adults who used FTS and reported positive test results were four times more likely to report increased overdose safety than those who did not use FTS. This could represent an essential addition to current overdose prevention efforts, particularly when combined with other evidence-based strategies, such as engaging people who use drugs to access addiction treatment and other services.
Preventing Infections
Ecstasy (or “molly”) is a powerful, synthetic stimulant drug found to cause serious health consequences in young people. It has hallucinogenic and stimulating effects lasting 3-6 hours. It is often snorted, smoked, or injected.
In addition to MDMA, many Molly drugs are laced with other potentially dangerous drugs. These include cocaine, ketamine, methamphetamine, over-the-counter cough medicine, or synthetic cathinone, known as “bath salts.”
It is vital to know what your medication is made of to avoid being infected by these chemicals. When you purchase a pill, capsule, or powder sold as Molly, make sure it is only made from MDMA and not laced with other substances.
If you are still determining what you have, several tests can help you determine what you have. These tests include the Marquis test, Simon’s test, and the Froehde test kit.
The Marquis test detects the chemical MDMA, one of the most common tests for this drug. This test is also sensitive enough to identify other drugs, including 5-APB and 6-APB, often sold as fake ecstasy.
Similarly, the Froehde test can identify other drugs found in Molly, including the dangerous cuts PMA and PMMA. These cuts are more likely to kill someone with just one dose than most other drugs, so you must have these test kits to know what you have in your possession.
These test kits are great to have on hand, primarily if you work in an environment with a high risk of exposure to Molly. They can save lives by preventing the misuse and abuse of this drug.
In addition to reducing risks of injury or death, these test kits can prevent infections caused by this drug. Moreover, they can save money for the organization implementing these tests. This makes them an ideal investment. As a result, these test kits are becoming an essential part of harm reduction efforts worldwide. They can also be an excellent addition to any school or workplace safety program.
Educating People
Whether you’re planning on taking MDMA at Spring Fling or another event, it’s essential to know that if you’re going to take a drug like Molly, you should only take it under the supervision of a medical professional. Getting the correct information before you consume a drug can help save your life.
Many psychedelic communities embrace harm reduction tactics, such as drug testing, because they’re a way to minimize the risks of consuming fake or adulterated drugs. These services help people trying ecstasy for the first time avoid potentially deadly doses of chemicals such as fentanyl.
One of the most common drugs sold as ecstasy or Molly is a synthetic psychoactive substance called methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA. It is known for creating euphoria and heightened sensations; this drug is often pressed into pills or sold in powder form. It’s been linked to increased deaths, so festival-goers must be tested for purity.
Several organizations have recently started distributing drug-testing kits at music festivals to test whether attendees’ ecstasy and Molly capsules are pure or laced with other drugs. Those who receive the results can decide if they want to continue using and take it safely or if they should seek medical attention for further testing.
But while drug-testing organizations need to be transparent about their practices, festival-goers must also understand how these programs work and why they’re needed. Besides providing real-time, on-site drug testing to reduce the risk of overdoses and infections, drug-testing sites can provide valuable epidemiological data to help improve national Drug Action Plans and prevent deaths.
