Ecstasy users are being warned about a rise in the number of higher strength pills available at clubs and festivals in the Isle of Man. In recent years almost all of the pills sold by dealers as Ecstasy have really been made from amphetamines, caffeine and other stimulants. Ecstasy is a Class A stimulant-type drug with hallucinogenic properties, which over the years has appeared in various forms from powder to specific shapes and colours of pill. Most of the tablets seized at festivals across the UK this year contained MDMA, the stronger chemical first used to make the drug in the late 1980s. As the purity of Ecstasy has been in decline in recent years, people are taking several pills at once and won't have experienced it at these new, higher dose levels. The contents of these pills are not known, even to the dealer, and could contain anything at any concentration, and so we would ask those who are tempted to try them to think again. Drugs, including Ecstasy, should not be used before or after drinking alcohol or using any other drugs including medications or over the counter remedies. The interaction can make the effects even more unpredictable and could even result in death. One particular danger with Ecstasy is its effect on the body’s ability to control temperature. If combined with a hot atmosphere, dancing, or drinking alcohol, the body can quickly become dehydrated which could have serious consequences if not kept under control. Signs of overheating could be: · starting to feel very hot, unwell and confused · not being able to talk properly · headache · vomiting · not being able to urinate, or noticing that urine is thick and dark · not sweating, even when dancing · heart rate or pulse not slowing down even when resting · fainting, collapsing or having fits. As a result of overheating, Ecstasy users who try to combat this can drink too much water on a night out and are then vulnerable to a condition called hyponatremia or water intoxication. This can leave the level of salt in the body to be diluted to a dangerous level which, in rare cases, can also prove fatal. People with existing or a history of mental health problems should avoid hallucinogenic types of drugs like Ecstasy, Salvia or Cannabis. Anyone who uses Ecstasy or would like further information should contact the confidential Drug Advice Service and Helpline (DASH) on 615622 or email info@drugs.org.im; DASH also have a website at www.drugs.org.im. Alternatively people can check online at www.crashtest.im for information and advice. - ENDS -