"Molly" isn't the new girl in town everyone wants you to believe; she's been around for quite some time, and has reinvented herself in a way that is catching the attention of a younger generation desperate to try the next new drug craze.
During the Electric Zoo music festival on Aug. 31, two college students died from alleged overdosing on "Molly" also known as MDMA. Four others had to be rushed to the hospital under suspicion of overdosing on the drug as well.
Due to the deaths, overdoses and 31 drug-related arrests, NYC's Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the NYPD shut down the music festival, canceling all events and performances for Sunday.
"The Electric Zoo organizers have worked with city officials to reduce health risks at this event, but in view of these occurrences, the safest course is to cancel the remaining day of the event," the NYPD and Bloomberg said in a statement.
And the city's actions are justified. "Molly" may be becoming the drug of choice for young party-goers, unaware of the dangers associated with it. Popular musical artists have mentioned the drug in song lyrics, like Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and Jay Z. It's becoming a part of pop culture like Ecstasy was in the club scene and rave parties during the 1990s.
According to CNN, the Drug Enforcement Administration says "molly" is the "powder or crystal form of MDMA or 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a chemical drug most commonly known for its use in the pressed pill Ecstasy."
MDMA is potent and can reportedly be laced with anything from caffeine to methamphetamine. CNN reports the drug is even thought to be pure "MDMA."
"Molly is a combination of a stimulant and a psychedelic drug," Forbes reports. "As people gain tolerance to the stimulant effects of the drug, they continue to use more and more drug to achieve the psychedelic effects-but ultimately can't. The end result is that people ingest greater quantities of the drug to chase the psychedelic effects-but ultimately develop toxic side effects from the stimulant component-including seizures, elevated blood pressure, as well as elevated body temperatures (hyperthermia) which can be deadly."
The truth is, "Molly" is dangerous and efforts should be made to keep the drug off the streets and away from youth.
