%0 Journal Article
%T Nine reasons why ecstasy is not quite what it used to be
%J International journal on drug policy
%D 2017
%A Mounteney, Jane
%A Griffiths, Paul
%A Bo, Alessandra
%A Cunningham, Andrew
%A Matias, João
%A Pirona, Alessandro
%V 51
%N 
%P 36-41
%X This paper explores the recent resurgence in use of ecstasy/MDMA in Europe and highlights keys areas of continuity and divergence between the ecstasy market of the 1990s and the current MDMA market. Based on a scoping study involving a targeted multi-source data collection exercise on MDMA, it highlights nine areas that have undergone some level of change, linked with both supply and demand for the drug. Factors discussed include: innovation in production techniques; changes in precursor chemical availability; the role of online markets; competition with other stimulants and new psychoactive substances; the increased availability of high-strength MDMA; and the shift from subcultural towards more mainstream use of the drug. The paper proposes that the MDMA on Europe's contemporary market is in some respects a third generation product with a different consumer profile, with implications that responses developed at the time of the drug's earlier iteration, may be in need of a review and revamp.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0955-3959
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.09.016