PMA and PMMA - Overview

Overview

Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) was first produced by a Canadian laboratory in 1973. In that year alone, the drug was associated with nearly a dozen deaths in both Canada and the United States. Then the drug all but disappeared until the mid- 1990s. At that time, six people in Australia died after taking what they thought was ecstasy. A later investigation found that the victims had various amounts of PMA in their systems, sometimes combined with ecstasy, amphetaminesPronounced am-FETT-uh-meens; stimulant drugs that increase mental alertness, reduce appetite, and help keep users awake., or prescription drugs. (An entry on amphetamines is available in this encyclopedia.) In the early 2000s PMA made its way back into Canada and the United States. It also showed up in Europe, mainly in Austria, Denmark, and Germany. Additional PMA-related deaths occurred in these countries, the victims dying after taking what they believed was ecstasy.

Is It Ecstasy or PMA/PMMA?

Because PMA is cheaper to produce than ecstasy, manufacturers sometimes mix the two drugs, or they may sell PMA as a substitute for ecstasy. The pills are sold as ecstasy to drug dealers, who may not know of the PMA content. Because PMA and ecstasy have similar effects on the user and the pill size and color may be the same, PMA can easily be passed off as ecstasy. Many pills have a logo stamped on them that acts as a brand name for a particular illegal, underground drug laboratory. Those passing off PMA as ecstasy may use an established lab's logo, like the three-diamond symbol of the mitsubishi "brand" of ecstasy.

It has been found, in fact, that most of the pills that caused death in the United States carried the mitsubishi logo (but PMA has been found in pills with other logos as well). Using a known source of ecstasy is not a safeguard against PMA poisoning, since the drug dealers themselves are often unaware of PMA in their supplies.

The popularity of recreational drugsUsing a drug solely to achieve a high, not to treat a medical condition. such as ecstasy was seen among young people who frequent the nightclub or rave scene. Such drug use has increased the risk of mistakenly taking toxic, or poisonous, substances such as PMA. A rave is a dance party, sometimes lasting all night, where DJs play electronic music and colorful lights flash to the pulsating beat. Raves are sometimes promoted as alcohol-free events, giving parents a false sense of security that their children will be safe attending these parties. In reality, raves may be havens for the illegal sale and abuse of club drugs such as ecstasy. The dangerous substitution of PMA in ecstasy tablets is an added risk, and it is causing alarm around the world.