ACON Media Release
28 September 2004
ACON today issued a warning to the community about an illicit drug that has recently reappeared in Sydney, which poses a serious health threat and risk of overdose.
"We have reports that a number of people have been treated at St
Vincent's hospital having overdosed in recent weeks following the
emergence of PMA (para-methoxyamphetamine) being sold as ecstacy",
said ACON CEO Stevie Clayton.
"The most recent and worst case involved someone admitted to St
Vincent's in a critical condition with symptoms like hypothermia. PMA has
been implicated in deaths overseas.
"PMA has been sold as ecstasy (MDMA) although it is considerably more
powerful and has hallucinatory effects. We understand it has been sold
as 'red mitsubishi' (due to the symbol in the tablets), 'red death' or 'red
killer'.
"It appears that one of the problems with this drug is that the effects
come on slowly and some people think it hasn't worked and therefore take
more, resulting in overdose.
"Symptoms of overdose can include:
. muscle spasms
. increased blood temperature
. increased blood pressure
. increased body temperature (fever)
. increased pulse rate
. laboured breathing
. nausea and vomiting
. convulsions, coma and death.
"ACON's harm minimisation messages in the lead up to this weekend's
Sleaze 2004 have focussed on crystal meth and GHB but the appearance
of this relatively new drug is of major concern. We would urge everyone to
be extremely cautious.
"ACON's party presence this weekend will again include a large team of
volunteer Drug Rovers looking out for anyone who may be in need of
medical assistance. Our Rovers work hand in hand with Mardi Gras Medical
around the health and welfare of our community", Ms Clayton said.
28 September 2004
ACON today issued a warning to the community about an illicit drug that has recently reappeared in Sydney, which poses a serious health threat and risk of overdose.
"We have reports that a number of people have been treated at St
Vincent's hospital having overdosed in recent weeks following the
emergence of PMA (para-methoxyamphetamine) being sold as ecstacy",
said ACON CEO Stevie Clayton.
"The most recent and worst case involved someone admitted to St
Vincent's in a critical condition with symptoms like hypothermia. PMA has
been implicated in deaths overseas.
"PMA has been sold as ecstasy (MDMA) although it is considerably more
powerful and has hallucinatory effects. We understand it has been sold
as 'red mitsubishi' (due to the symbol in the tablets), 'red death' or 'red
killer'.
"It appears that one of the problems with this drug is that the effects
come on slowly and some people think it hasn't worked and therefore take
more, resulting in overdose.
"Symptoms of overdose can include:
. muscle spasms
. increased blood temperature
. increased blood pressure
. increased body temperature (fever)
. increased pulse rate
. laboured breathing
. nausea and vomiting
. convulsions, coma and death.
"ACON's harm minimisation messages in the lead up to this weekend's
Sleaze 2004 have focussed on crystal meth and GHB but the appearance
of this relatively new drug is of major concern. We would urge everyone to
be extremely cautious.
"ACON's party presence this weekend will again include a large team of
volunteer Drug Rovers looking out for anyone who may be in need of
medical assistance. Our Rovers work hand in hand with Mardi Gras Medical
around the health and welfare of our community", Ms Clayton said.