Coroner in warning about ‘super-ecstasy’ following inquests

The Dublin coroner has warned that PMA, an illegal amphetamine drug currently in circulation, is “far more unpredictable” than ecstasy.

Dr Brian Farrell was speaking during the second of two inquests heard at Dublin Coroner’s Court into the deaths of men who died in separate incidents having taken PMA over the June bank holiday weekend last year.

“The effects of PMA are far more unpredictable and variable between individuals than those of ecstasy, MDMA. Ecstasy is unpredictable. This is not ecstasy, it is another type of ecstasy which is even more unpredictable and variable in its effects and it has been associated with a number of deaths. We are really only beginning to record these deaths from this drug at the moment,” he said.

PMA (para-Methoxyamphetamine) is sometimes referred to as “Dr Death” or “super ecstasy”. It is an amphetamine with hallucinogenic properties and is being sold as ecstasy or is sometimes found in ecstasy tablets. It has been associated with more than 50 fatalities including a number of deaths in Ireland.

Last month, the Ana Liffey Drug Project launched a campaign to highlight the dangers of PMA and PMMA (paramethoxymethaphetamine) for users.

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Source: Gareth Naughton, Irish Independent, 19/07/2014