Drug warning
A series of recent fatal overdoses in the province is prompting BC Ambulance Service to remind the public about inherent dangers in taking ecstasy, or MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
Since August 2011 five British Columbians have died from taking ecstasy laced with para-methoxy-metamphetamine (PMMA), a variety of metamphetamine. The deceased ranged in age from 14 to 37, the most recent being 16-year-old Kato Burgess from the Lower Mainland.
Chemically similar to MDMA, PMMA is more potent and it takes longer to kick in, which can result in people taking more, wrote Dr. John Tallon, vice-president of medical programs for BC Emergency and Health Services Commission, in a letter to all BC Ambulance Service personnel.
Rob Southcott, BC Ambulance Service Powell River unit chief, said that locally ecstasy is present in the community. So far paramedics have not had many cases of people overdosing or having a bad reaction to the drug, but they have occurred. Just before Christmas, while on duty Southcott dealt with somebody experiencing adverse effects from the drug.
Powell River RCMP report that since January 1, 2010 there have been four files related to MDMA, three of which led to charges.
One of the more troubling aspects of ecstasy use, said Southcott, is people’s perception of the drug. Considered a “party drug,” and one that produces sensations of euphoria, Southcott fears many don’t recognize the more serious side of the chemically-produced drug.
“More recently it went from being a rave drug to a party drug to a recreational use kind of drug,” said Southcott. “Our kids are so vulnerable to stuff like this. Ecstasy is a hard drug. It’s more destructive than heroin, in my opinion.”
Southcott said he considers ecstasy to be as harmful as crystal meth, which is chemically similar but has a worse reputation. Also, pure MDMA is almost non-existent and the drug is commonly cut with other substances which the user is unaware of. This is how the five British Columbians came to overdose on PMMA.
Brain damage, rather than death, which is rare, is the main concern for Southcott. Even infrequent users can end up with long-term effects, which can often be subtle, he said. With brain imaging physicians have shown recognizable, physical brain changes with few uses of the drug, he added.
Public hearing
Powell River Regional District is holding a third public hearing on the Myrtle Pond zoning bylaw. The meeting starts at 7 pm on Wednesday, February 22, at Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association, 4356 Myrtle Avenue.
The bylaw establishes land use regulations for properties within the Myrtle Pond water service area. The bylaw has existed in draft form since 2008.
The regional board has delegated the meeting to Stan Gisborne, Electoral Area B director. Interested readers can find a copy of the bylaw on the regional district’s website.
