US study finds only 60 per cent of ‘Molly’ pills contain MDMA

A new study has been published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, with concerning results about the purity of Molly, a supposedly purer and safer successor to Ecstasy which has become popular in America.

The study investigates data collected by non-profit harm reduction organisation DanceSafe across July 2010 to July 2015. Volunteers for DanceSafe attended dance music events across the country and tested 529 ‘Molly’ samples

MDMA was only present in 60 per cent of the samples tested, with most of the pills and powders including a mix or assorted chemicals, often unidentifiable. 13 samples contained methamphetamine, and the highly potent and dangerous PMA was found in three.

The study also found that 46 per cent of people said they would still take the drug after discovering it contained MDMA, compared to only 26 per cent after discovering their sample contained no trace of MDMA. The findings will strengthen the case of harm reduction groups as the debate over the ethics of drug testing, and whether it encourages or discourages drug taking, rages on.

The UK’s position of drug testing has become more favourable in recent years, with multiple festivals signed up for drugs testing this summer,and groups like The Loop doing important work in the field.

Speaking about the matter, Matthew W. Johnson, a co-author of the JoP study, said: "People would be safest not taking any street drugs at all, but if free, no-fault testing can reduce deaths and other catastrophic consequences, it may be a service worth having.”

[Via: Chicago Tribune]

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Staff Writer, follow him on Twitter