Safety Advisory Regarding New Club Drug "Molly"

Special Agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) working with the Michigan State Police and local law enforcement agencies have recently discovered the presence of a new club drug that is being sold to high school and college age students at "Rave" parties throughout the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas. This substance is known on the street as "Molly", which is 1-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl) piperazine (TFMPP).

This is an extremely dangerous drug, which is clandestinely manufactured and marketed in "Rave Clubs" as a more intense form of Ecstasy. This drug is an off-white powder generally sold in a gelatin capsule. TFMPP and Benzylpiperazine (BZP) were both given emergency controlled substance scheduling by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in September 2002. TFMPP was given Schedule I status, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This drug first appeared on the West Coast of the United States and these recent seizures in Michigan are the first indication of its presence in the metropolitan Detroit area. TFMPP also goes by the names "legal E", "legal X" or "A2". TFMPP can cause increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

"Molly" has properties similar to the stimulant effects of Ecstasy, but taken in larger doses it promotes hallucinogenic reactions. This poses an even greater risk to young adults who have taken Ecstasy previously and accidentally overdose by trying to achieve the hallucinogenic effects. DEA is currently conducting "Operation X-Out", which is a nationwide initiative to increase education and enforcement operations involving club and predatory drugs. Drug distributors have invaded the Internet with misinformation regarding the dangers of club and "date rape" drugs that are marketed toward young people. Effective information campaigns are essential to inform young Americans about club drugs such as GHB, Ecstasy, Ketamine and TFMPP, which are promoted by individuals who disguise their deadly effects.

"This is another example of individuals exploiting our young people with dangerous mixtures of chemicals that have the potential for deadly consequences. The DEA working closely with state and local law enforcement agencies, will do everything in our power to protect our children," said Michael A. Braun, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Detroit Field Division.