“Molly” is a club drug that has gotten a lot of attention lately. It first hit the scene around 2001, but until recently hadn’t made too much of a splash in the huge pool of illicit drugs. Now, Molly is making appearances at most rave clubs and college dorm parties. Local officials are seeing the drug in various high school populations as well. Its real name is Trifluoromethylphenyl piperazine or TFMPP, and it is a potent central nervous system stimulant, with effects similar to those of Ecstasy.

When Molly first appeared on the scene, it was immediately identified as an extremely dangerous threat. It splashed onto the Western Coast of the United States, and within months, spread as far away as Michigan. In September of 2002, the Drug Enforcement Administration pursued Emergency Schedule I Status for the drug. This prohibits any use or possession of the substance on American soil, and advertises its high potential for abuse.

Like most stimulants, the effects of Molly include increased blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature. Higher doses produce hallucinogenic effects. The high is described as a euphoric state with elevated mood and a “oneness” with the environment. Effects last for approximately 30 minutes per dose. Overdose causes central nervous system overload, leading to irregular heart beat, fatally high body temperatures and cardiac arrest. Brain injury can occur after a single use, with prolonged users reporting substantial cognitive impairment. This is in stark contrast to the reputation often given to the drug by its promoters on the internet. Molly, and other club drugs like GHB, Ecstasy, and Ketamine, are frequently billed as harmless feel-good substances. In actuality, they have each racked up an impressive death toll in the United States.

Molly can be purchased on the street, or it can be ordered over the internet. It ships as a small gelatin capsule containing an off-white powder. Its use may be diagnosed by following the “stimulant” pattern of physiological symptoms, or by using an over the counter drug test.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•