Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 Source: Helsingin Sanomat International Edition (Finland) Copyright: 2002 2000 Helsingin Sanomat Contact: http://www.helsinki-hs.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1158 DEADLY DRUG COMBINATION: ECSTASY AND ANTI-DEPRESSANTS Four Young Users Die During One Year Four young Finns are reported to have died of the combined effects of the drug ecstasy and pharmaceutical anti-depressants in the past year. There are no previous reports of such deaths in Finland, or elsewhere. Erkki Vuori, Professor of Forensic Medicine at the University of Helsinki, wrote in the journal Mediuutiset recently that no such cases have been reported in the international literature. Experts say that the combined use of ecstasy and anti-depressants could be a very Finnish phenomenon. In Finland, many users of intoxicants appear to be especially prone to trying different combinations of drugs. "We have an exceptionally large amount of combined use of alcohol and pharmaceuticals, and this phenomenon has spread among users of illicit drugs", says Antti Jaaskelainen, forensic pathologist for the Province of West Finland. Jaaskelainen has studied the recent deaths, one of which occurred in Turku and the rest in the Helsinki region. "Perhaps the deaths in Finland are not quite unique, but the use of many drugs is a Finnish phenomenon. Now we are wondering what might be done", Jaaskelainen sighs. Each of the four deaths involved the same combination: in addition to ecstasy, users have taken the anti-depressant Aurorix(R). Two young users died after taking such a combination about a year ago, and two others about two months ago. Ecstasy, a drug with both stimulant and psychedelic properties, is generally used by recreational drug users rather than hard-core addicts. The typical user is a young person seeking good feelings and the stimulation necessary for hours of dancing at "rave" parties. "Many ecstasy users are just becoming acquainted with drugs", says Antti Holopainen, head physician at the Jarvenpaa Addiction Hospital. He says that he has not seen many instances of combined use of ecstasy and anti-depressants. Holopainen adds that doctors and others working in drug rehabilitation have known for years of the dangers of combining Aurorix(R) and amphetamines. "Anti-depressants combined with ecstasy can lead to a so-called serotonin syndrome. Aurorix(R) is the most dangerous of the substances", Holopainen says. What is especially alarming in Holopainen's view is that the use of ecstasy in itself eventually leads to a gloomy phase, which young users try to counter with anti-depressants sold on the black market. This is apparently what happened in each of the deaths that have come to light. Holopainen warns that ecstasy is not as harmless a stimulant as some young users seem to think. "Contrary to what is generally believed, occasional use can lead to addiction and to organic changes in the brain. Especially skills linked with learning can deteriorate." Some have taken anti-depressants specifically to boost the effects of the ecstasy. There has been plenty of discussion in Internet chat rooms on ways to boost the effects of "e". On the other hand news of the four deaths has awoken concern among users of ecstasy. For instance, many questions on the combined effects of ecstasy and anti-depressants have been posted on the web site of the A-Clinic Foundation in recent days. "I have suggested that we post clear instructions on what substances should not be combined", says project planner Lotta Lehmusvaara of the A-Clinic Foundation. "The experts have been so busy that no instructions have been written yet." On Wednesday the A-Clinic Foundation web site was not working. "It seems that some hacker crashed the whole server on Tuesday", says Rauno Makela, head physician at the A-Clinic Foundation. Links: DrugScope (UK) drug database - Ecstasy Aurorix (R) information - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom