Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jan 2008
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2008 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Dave Battagello, CanWest News Service

DRUGS SPILL ACROSS BORDER

Ecstasy-Meth Pills

Canadian-made ecstasy pills laced with crystal meth are being dumped 
into the U.S., prompting the White House Office of National Drug 
Control Policy to issue a warning yesterday.

"Certainly we are very concerned about this combo product coming 
south," said a top official from the Washington office who asked not 
to be named. "Since this product is popular among the young, it's out 
there near schools and neighbourhoods. We need people to know this 
drug is much more dangerous."

More than 55 per cent of the ecstasy samples seized in the U.S. last 
year contained methamphetamine, according to the policy office.

Drug enforcement authorities in the U.S. have been working with the 
RCMP to learn of the origins of the ecstasy-meth combo pills, he 
said. Both countries have had labs analyze recent drug seizures of the pills.

The drug combination of methamphetamine and ecstasy can have severe 
health consequences, as both have toxic effects on the brain, 
according to the U.S. policy office. Together, the drugs can 
interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature, leading to 
hyperthermia - which can result in liver, kidney, cardiovascular 
system failure and death.

The potential for a life-threatening or fatal overdose is further 
increased when meth-laced ecstasy is combined with alcohol.

Law enforcement agencies along the U.S.-Canada border report large 
increases in the flow of ecstasy from Canada into the U.S.

In 2003, 568,220 dosage units of ecstasy were seized in the northern 
border states; in 2006, more than 5.4 million dosage units were seized.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart