SCOTLAND'S largest health board has produced a controversial guide on how to take ecstasy safely as concern grows about how fake drugs have killed at least seven in Scotland.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) issued the advice as concern grows about adequate warnings over the toxic fake ecstasy pills currently sold with the street name Green Rolex which were also linked to eight similar deaths in Northern Ireland.
Drug agencies and counsellors welcomed the measure and called some advice on the tablets to be offered UK-wide.
The harm reduction guide does not put the Scottish deaths in the perspective of deaths across the UK since 2002, but aims to give facts about the circulating fake ecstasy and what users should do to stay safe. It states: "This briefing neither condemns or condones your drug use, it is just providing you with the facts we have."
The leaflet, which has been sent to drug information agencies in the central belt, confirms the substance behind the deadly party pills is the toxic stimulant Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) or the directly related compound PMMA.
A spokesman for UK drug abuse advice charity DrugScope said: "The concern will be that if you are giving harm reduction advice, it can be taken by some to be condoning drug use That's the risk. But I don't see this as being any different to needle exchanges, where the idea is if you give people clean needles, that reduces the likely harms they are going to have."
Edinburgh drugs support network Crew said the guidance was laudable and "excellent work".
PMA has been linked to dozens of deaths since 2002, with cases becoming more apparent in the last two years.
But some experts believe many more may have died because their deaths have been recorded as being from an ectstasy overdose rather than the result of PMA in the pills.
While the deaths of seven Scots and eight in Northern Ireland have been linked to the Green Rolex pills which have the logo of a crown or castle on them, the fake ecstasy with PMA has been around in different guises and forms for 11 years.
It has also had different street names, and had been referered to as Dr Death, Mitsubishi Turbo's, Green Apple, Pink Ecstasy or Pink McDonalds.
The guide made its debut at the weekend when it was handed out to around 4000 at Buchanan Bus Station heading for T in the Park and urges people to read as "it could save your life".
It warns all pills should be treated with suspicion as there is "no visual way to tell the contents of your pills".
The leaflet reflects the concerns of some drug counsellors who warn PMA is sold as ecstasy (MDMA), but is much stronger and can cause a fatal rise in body temperature. It takes longer to act than MDMA and so unsuspecting users have been known to take extra pills, believing the first one has not "worked", and end up overdosing.
Under Harm Reduction Advice, the health board advice was: "The safest thing to do is not to take any illegal or unknown drugs, however if you chose to use, please follow the advice."
It warns users not to take further pills if they do not feel an effect. and that a double dose of PMA pills puts users in "risky territory".
The leaflet says: "Like any ecstasy pill, always start with a low dose – half a pill and wait an hour or two. If your pills don't take effect as quickly as you expect, don't assume they are poor quality – they may be PMA or PMMA."
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the leaflet was "rapidly produced" to help improve public awareness and did not seek to talk down to those who take drugs.
"While we do not condone any form of drug taking, evidence and research is quite clear that telling someone not to take drugs is not a message which is effective.
"Our health improvement teams, with partners, seek to persuade people to avoid drug use through a wide range of educational and preventative programmes," said a health board spokeswoman.
NHSGGC advice
l Like any ecstasy pill, always start with a low dose – half a pill and wait an hour or two.
l If your pills don't take effect as quickly as you expect, don't assume they are poor quality – they may be PMA/PMMA.
l Don't double dose – if your pills are PMA/PMMA you're in risky territory.
l Don't take other drugs – alcohol, stimulants, MDMA and antidepressants interact dangerously with PMA/PMMA.
l Be aware of the effects of PMA/PMMA – if you experience them, stop using and do not consume other drugs or alcohol.
l Be aware of the life-threatening effects – if this is happening to you or others get medical help immediately.
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