As we enter the festive season, it is inevitable that many people will be taking recreational drugs, including MDMA, at parties and at home. In the UK, over 100,000 young people have taken MDMA, or ecstasy as it is often called, in the last month, and over 300,000 in the last year. Sadly, it is possible that there will be some casualties and even fatalities.

I believe that current government policy towards MDMA contributes to this problem. The law is endangering more citizens than it is protecting – in particular, the young.

MDMA is a popular psychoactive substance. Its effects include increased energy, euphoria and enhanced sociability. To date, it has been largely mistreated and misunderstood. MDMA is rather unique among the other recreational substances in that it has relatively low abuse potential, with 96.5 per cent of users indulging in MDMA less than once a month.

New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Show all 41 1 /41 New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures London Thousands of fireworks explode over the London Eye as thousands gather to ring in the new year AP New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures London Fireworks explode over Westminster Abbey and Elizabeth Tower near Parliament as Big Ben marks the start of 2019 Getty Images New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures France A sound and light show under the theme 'fraternity' is seen on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris AFP/Getty Images New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Edinburgh Performers on stilts on Princess Street during the Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh PA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Netherlands Children watch the special children's fireworks display near the Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam, The Netherlands EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Malaysia Spectators watch as fireworks explode in front of Malaysia's Petronas Twin Towers AP New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Thailand Fireworks explode over Chao Phraya River during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok Reuters New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures China Entertainers perform at the countdown event to celebrate the arrival of 2019 during the New Year's Eve celebration at Beijing Olympic Park EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Germany The Brandenburg Gate landmark during the beginning of the New Year's Eve celebrations in Berlin EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures India Schoolchildren hold balloons as they pose during celebrations to welcome the New Year at their school in Ahmedabad, India Reuters New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures United Arab Emirates People gather to watch a musical fountain in front of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Hong Kong Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbor during New Year's Eve to celebrate the start of year 2019 in Hong Kong AP New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures South Korea People attend a ceremony to celebrate the new year in Seoul, South Korea Reuters New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Taiwan An eightfold combo picture shows fireworks and light effects illuminating the night sky from the Taipei 101 skyscraper during New Year's Eve celebrations in Taiwan EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Thailand Fireworks explode over the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok AFP/Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Australia Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney AP New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA - JANUARY 01: Fireworks illuminate the city's skyline during New Year's Eve celebrations of 2018 on January 1, 2019 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images) Ulet Ifansasti Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Japan People release balloons during the count down event at the Prince Park Tower Tokyo hotel Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures HONG KONG, HONG KONG - JAN 1: People gather as fireworks light up the city's skyline marking the New Year celebrations in Hong Kong on January 01, 2019 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images) Billy H.C. Kwok Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Malaysia Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Petronas Towers landmark during New Year's Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Denmark People take part in the annual new year's dip in the harbour of Copenhagen, Denmark, with both water and air temperature of six degrees Celcius AFP/Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Singapore Fireworks explode over the Marina Bay ahead of the New Year Eve festivities in Singapore Reuters New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures India Indian girls pose for photographs as they take part in New Year's Eve celebrations in Bhopal EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Singapore Fireworks explode over the Marina Bay for the New Year celebrations in Singapore Reuters New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures South Korea Fireworks illuminate the sky over the Jeongdongjin beach in Gangneung EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures New Zealand Fireworks exploding from the Sky Tower with the Auckland Harbour Bridge Getty/ATEED New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Tennis players Rafael Nadal poses for a selfie with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Andy Murray and Nick Kyrgios while wearing festive new year 2019 eyewear and party hats in front of the Queensland Tennis centre in Brisbane AFP/Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Australia The midnight fireworks light up the Sydney Opera House Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Spain Revellers take selfies during a New Year's Eve celebration in Madrid AP New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Singapore Fireworks explode over the Marina Bay ahead of the New Year's Eve festivities in Singapore Reuters New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the fireworks show on January 1, 2019. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP)PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images PETER PARKS AFP/Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures France People take part in a traditional sea bath to mark the New Year's celebrations on a nudist beach in Le Cap d'Agde, southern France AFP/Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures South Korea People walk among illuminated decorations at Cheonggye street during New Year's Eve celebrations in Seoul, South Korea EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures New Zealand AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 31: Fireworks are seen exploding from the Sky Tower with the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the foreground during the Auckland New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images for ATEED) Phil Walter Getty/ATEED New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures India Indian girls, with their faces painted with slogans to welcome the new year and Indian flags, pose for photographs as they celebrate in Amritsar EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Australia Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour AP New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures India Indian tourists play with snow at Kongdoori tourist resort in Gulmarg north of Kashmir EPA New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Thailand Artists perform at a shopping centre during the New Year festival in Bangkok Reuters New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Myanmar People takes selfies during the last sunset of the year in Naypyitaw AP New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Australia New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the fireworks show AFP/Getty New Year's Eve 2018 celebrations – in pictures Spain Several hundred residents gathered in the square to eat the traditional 12 grapes to the sound of twelve strokes at noon in the town of Vilagarcia de Arousa, northwestern Spain. The people traditionally welcome the New Year eating 12 grapes to the sound of twelve strokes of the clock at midnight in Spain. The clock of Puerta del Sol is mainly used to carry on the tradition and for first time, the Madrid's clock will sound 12 strokes two times at 0:00 and 01:00 hours for the people in Canary Island, who celebrates the arrival of the New Year one hour later EPA

I have been fighting for evidence-based drug policy reform for over two decades now. Throughout this time there has been an urgent need for comprehensive, unbiased information that deals with exactly how we can introduce new thinking around regulation. Many on the frontlines of the war on drugs now agree that zero tolerance policies cause more harm than good.

In fact, clinical research carried out over the past decade demonstrates the strong therapeutic benefits of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more recently alcoholism and autism research has shown positive outcomes. However, despite the potential medical benefits, current prohibition-based policies are driving forward the illegal trade in MDMA. We are heading into far riskier territory than ever before.

In order to develop a scientific evidence base, a recent report by the Beckley Foundation titled “Roadmaps to Regulation: MDMA”, published earlier this month, reveals that many of the harms associated with MDMA use arise, specifically, from its unregulated status as an illegal drug.

None of the adverse effects associated with MDMA, such as hyperthermia, hyponatraemia, serotonin syndrome, and isolated physiological disorders, have occurred in a clinical setting. This implies that risks could be prevented with comprehensive harm reduction advice and better regulation.

Under the current policy, people can only purchase MDMA from an illegal market which is not subject to any production standards. This exposes people to the risk of taking substances of far greater strength and purity than the body can handle. Illegality also leads to a higher potential for contamination, with dangerous substances finding their way into the manufacturing process. Many of those who do suffer an MDMA-related emergency are also less likely to seek medical help for fear of being prosecuted.

In short, zero tolerance drug policies are leading to record levels of deaths. To be more precise, in 2018 there were 92 unnecessary deaths across England and Wales – nearly two people per week and almost double the number of deaths recorded the year before.

A legally regulated market would go a long way towards mitigating the risks associated with MDMA use. While many still consider this view controversial, it is one that is gaining support – from parents of those whose lives have been lost or ruined by harms related to the prohibition of MDMA; academics and scientists undertaking groundbreaking research into the therapeutic potential of MDMA; and former police members now fighting for reform.

The reason for this is simple – regulation disrupts the illegal market and leads to improved controls overall. Whereas, as it stands, there is no way of controlling the quality or the use of the prohibited substance, which hands the power and the profits to the criminal market.

MDMA remains classified as a schedule 1 substance – which designates substances with no medical use and a high potential for abuse – while more dangerous and highly addictive drugs such as heroin and cocaine remain schedule 2. As the recent report has found, we must reschedule MDMA to schedule 2. This will help to reduce the political, bureaucratic, and financial barriers blocking MDMA research so that we can better understand the risks and potential benefits of this popular substance.

We must also decriminalise the possession of MDMA, and all drugs for that matter, to end the devastating social and economic effects that these policies exert and instead treat drug abuse as a health issue. Simultaneously, improve safety by encouraging harm reduction interventions such as on-site drug safety testing. Finally, we would seek to establish a strictly regulated legal market for MDMA products with age-restrictions, point-of-sale-education, and appropriate licensing for those for whom it would be safe to use. This would significantly reduce the number of MDMA-related deaths in the UK, while generating tax revenue such as those from alcohol and tobacco sales.

In 2012, the Beckley/Imperial Research Programme carried out a detailed neuroimaging study on MDMA to explain why it is so valuable for psychotherapy. We found that pleasant memories were experienced as more vivid, emotionally intense and positive with MDMA, while traumatic memories were less negative and therefore more useful in therapy. Then, in 2015, a Beckley-sponsored study at UCL demonstrated that MDMA reduces self-criticism and improves self-compassion. We also observed increases in feelings of openness and decreased neuroticism, prolonging the benefits of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Combined, these attributes indicate that MDMA may be a powerful tool to facilitate the recall of traumatic memories in such a way that it can be useful for healing the mind.

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD has been given breakthrough status by the US Food and Drug Administration and has now reached the final phase of clinical testing before it can be approved as a licensed medicine. To date, MDMA has been administered to over 1,500 patients in controlled settings without a single emergency room visit, further demonstrating that this substance is not dangerous in and of itself. It is undeniable that the UK needs to be more open to exploring the therapeutic potential that lies in MDMA research.

I have for many years researched MDMA as well as the psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca and DMT as they are all severely understudied, despite their promising clinical application.

However, if the government finally acknowledges the reasoning behind the latest “Roadmaps to Regulation” report; relaxes restrictions on the study of MDMA; and moves towards a fully regulated market, there are countless studies that could, and should, be fast-tracked for the betterment of both ill and well people.