#CrushDabWait

As festival forensic testing shows MDMA crystal is very high purity, welfare services offer advice to users: ‘CrushDabWait Saves Lives’

The Loop conducts forensic testing of drugs at UK festivals and nightclubs and provides associated welfare support. Forensic testing suggests that whilst the MDMA content of ecstasy pills has fallen a little in recent months from its peak to just under 100mg MDMA per pill, the MDMA crystal currently in circulation in the UK is very high purity - 83% – and even higher at recent festivals where The Loop has been testing.

The Loop’s and Chill’s welfare teams have cared for hundreds of festival goers at recent music events, many of whom struggled to moderate the amount of MDMA crystal they took. We are very concerned by this, coming after yet more MDMA-implicated deaths, this month at a US festival and in Scotland. Obviously all drugs are potentially dangerous and The Loop and Chill do not encourage or condone any drug use. There is a particular concern relating to the variations in purity, shape, size and density of MDMA crystals, however, meaning that it is difficult for users to guess consistently and accurately how much they are taking. Therefore we are encouraging users not to take whole crystals of MDMA. Instead users should think carefully about how to moderate the amount of MDMA they take with the advice to crush up crystals into a fine powder, lick their finger tip and dab the powder to consume a small amount (approximately 70-100mg of MDMA, the same as contained in an average pill and an average dose for an average sized person) then wait 1-2 hours for the effects before considering taking more.

Fiona Measham, co-Director of The Loop and Director of its drug testing programme said: “My research shows that MDMA crystal remains the most popular party drug amongst festival goers and clubbers but purity and contents can vary considerably in illegal markets. When purity increases it takes a while for behaviours to readjust and we often see more problems. We want to keep people safe and advice as simple as ‘crush-dab-wait’ could save lives”.

Katy MacLeod Director of Chill Welfare said “ We have seen an increase in MDMA crystal use over the last year and we have found that people experiencing negative effects have often used at large doses, re-dosed quickly or mixed with other substances. It’s difficult to judge the dose of MDMA crystal so this can lead to users taking more and experiencing unpleasant and sometimes life threatening side effects. For people that choose to use MDMA crystal, the crush-dab-wait advice is essential to avoid negative experiences. Equally people should be aware that mixing with other drugs including alcohol increases the likelihood of adverse side effects.”

#CrushDabWait

Note: The UK continues to have the highest rates of MDMA use in Europe, with 3.9% of 16-24 year olds reporting having used ecstasy in the past year in the latest Home Office Crime Survey for England and Wales: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drug-misuse-findings-from-the-2013-to-2014-csew/drug-misuse-findings-from-the-201314-crimesurvey-for-england-and-wales

A Mother’s response to the #CrushDabWait MDMA Crystal Campaign

When I found out about the new #CrushDabWait campaign launched last week I felt relieved that common sense was finally prevailing. My only wish is that this campaign had existed 23 months ago before I lost my only child to an accidental ecstasy overdose. My 15 year old daughter Martha pounded down MDMA crystal to a powder that turned out to be 91% pure, she swallowed half a gram in one go and died 3 hours later.

The #CrushDabWait campaign was launched by The Loop drugs charity just ahead of Glastonbury to encourage users to think carefully about how much MDMA crystal they consume. I was delighted that it was supported by Radio 1 DJ B.Traits and drum and bass DJ Nicky Blackmarket, as well as being featured in Mixmag. This campaign fills me with hope that lives will be saved and other families won’t have to suffer a loss like mine.

The experts behind this campaign are keen to stress that they’re not trying to condone or encourage use, but due to the very high purity of MDMA crystal currently in circulation in the UK (on average 83%), this campaign is focussing solely on MDMA crystal rather than any other forms of ecstasy in order to put out necessary, informative and responsible public health information. This is an evidence-based response, based on research by The Loop’s Fiona Measham, showing that not only is MDMA crystal the most popular drug taken at UK festivals and EDM dance clubs, it’s also virtually pure and is causing serious medical problems for young people taking too much.

There will be those that say it is irresponsible and will encourage drug use – but I believe that the #CrushDabWait campaign could have saved Martha’s life had she known about it. Martha wanted to get high, she didn’t want to die – no parent wants either, but there’s one of those that’s preferable to the other.

Anne Marie Cockburn

29th June 2015