'Ecstasy pills' probably rat poison
September 12, 2002
RAT poison has been found in some seized capsules being passed off as the drug ecstasy, ACT police said.
A laboratory analysis of the green capsules found no trace of any illicit drug, a spokesman said.
Instead drug team leader Detective Sergeant Dave Sharpe said initial tests suggested the capsules contained straight rat poison or a substance of a similar type.
"For some time now we have been talking about the dangerous cocktail of chemicals contained in local supplies of tablets sold as ecstasy," he said.
"More often than not, the ecstasy buyer is purchasing a tablet containing very little or no trace of the amphetamine known as ecstasy.
but if we examine the article we can see it perfectly perpetuates the stance that news.com.au and the police media unit (or rogue police officers) take on illegal drugs.
- just because they don't "test positive to any illicit substance" (in no less than initial tests), they are classified as containing "probably rat poison." this is a progression that is often put out and perpetuated by the media. either rat poison or glass, or some other insidious substance.
- are they ecstasy pills or are they capsules? the article isn't quite sure, but there is a definite difference between a pill and a capsule.
- "initial tests suggested..." but the first sentence states "RAT poison has been found ... ACT police said" as in has definitely been found.
- "the capsules contained straight rat poison or a substance of a similar type". what exactly is similar to rat poison, but doesn't pander to the often-held opinion and perhaps the myth of poison in ecstasy. kind of like heroin in pills. maybe an exception, but not a rule. maybe they're similar because it's a white powder- but "similar to flour" doesn't hold the same interest, does it?
- "tablets sold as ecstasy". i'm thinking they may be pissed off that their local drug dealer isn't in fact a real genuine drug dealer, maybe they just sell sugar pills (which initial tests show to contain [insert substance here]). even if what they say is true, they have effectively seized rat poison. what a crime!
- "More often than not, the ecstasy buyer is purchasing a tablet containing very little or no trace of the amphetamine known as ecstasy." the only good thing to come out of this article is that police now must suggest all drug users and dealers invest in a pill tester so people can be more aware of what they are purchasing and consuming.
[ 12 September 2002: Message edited by: attaris ]