DURHAM — The overdose death of a 20-year-old University of New Hampshire student at a New York City music and dance festival over the weekend is believed to have been caused by a popular club drug known as "Molly," a hallucinogen that local officials say is prominent among high school and college students.

DURHAM — The overdose death of a 20-year-old University of New Hampshire student at a New York City music and dance festival over the weekend is believed to have been caused by a popular club drug known as "Molly," a hallucinogen that local officials say is prominent among high school and college students.



Olivia Rotondo, a junior studying communications at UNH, died Saturday night in a Manhattan hospital of an apparent drug overdose. She was one of two concertgoers who died after attending the Electric Zoo festival. Several other attendees were reportedly hospitalized.



Authorities believe the deaths of Rotondo, a native of Providence, R.I., and Jeffrey Russ, 23, of Rochester, N.Y., are linked to drugs, specifically MDMA, or ecstasy.



The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration defines MDMA as both a "stimulant and psychedelic capable of producing an energizing effect, distortions in time and perception, and enhanced enjoyment of tactile experiences."



The drug, if taken repeatedly over a short period of time, can lead to liver, kidney and cardiovascular system failure, as well as death. The DEA categorizes MDMA as a "party drug."



Portsmouth Deputy Police Chief Corey MacDonald said Molly is a purer, powdered form of ecstasy called methyl-enedioxymethamphetamine. The drug can be taken orally in powder, tablet or capsule form.



MacDonald said the drug is commonly used by college and high school students.



"It's a big party drug," he said.



As is the case with any illegal substance, MacDonald said, there are inherent dangers in using a hallucinogen such as Molly.



"It's usually filled with all sorts of other bad things," he said. "You don't really know what you're taking. There's no quality control."



The drug has become a part of what MacDonald described as the new thing in pop culture. He said it is unfortunate that an illegal drug like Molly is glamorized.



"It's tough, because you want to send the message to kids that this stuff is really dangerous," he said.



Officials at the University of New Hampshire issued the following statement in response to Rotondo's death:



"University of New Hampshire officials were greatly saddened to learn of the recent death of Olivia Rotondo, a junior from Rhode Island," according to the prepared statement. "We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends during this difficult time, and are focused on providing support and resources to our campus community."



She was also remembered on Twitter and Facebook.



Rotondo is the second college student from New Hampshire to have died recently from a suspected overdose involving Molly. Brittany Flannigan, 19, of Derry, died Aug. 28 after being rushed to the hospital from a Boston, Mass., nightclub. Flannigan was a sophomore at Plymouth State University.



The UNH Counseling Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 24-hour help is available by calling 862-2090.