National News
Jordan Perry
Staff Writer
On February 22, 10 students and two visitors were hospitalized for overdosing on MDMA at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. MDMA is a manmade drug categorized as a schedule I substance by the US Government because of its potential for abuse. MDMA is also known as Molly or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.
Commonly known for its association with raves, Molly is a refined, more powerful form of Ecstasy. University police officials are still gathering information on the batch of MDMA related to the 12 overdoses in Middletown. Police have arrested four students they believe may have a connection to the distribution of the drug. The university has already suspended the four suspects, even though trials have not yet begun.
The hospitalizations allegedly correlate with a rave held by the school’s Electric Society, threatening the standing of raves once again. Scares such as this one have occurred at New York’s own Electric Zoo, where two attendees faced fatal MDMA overdoses. After these deaths, the 2013 E-Zoo Festival was cancelled.
What makes MDMA especially dangerous is the drug’s diruption of the body’s ability to regulate its temperature–this can lead to kidney, liver or heart failure.
The drug’s image has been transformed from a loving cousin of the rave community to a drug that has put lives in danger, damaging the scene’s reputation overnight. This past year, in order to combat narcotics, Electric Zoo required attendees to watch an anti-drug video and added health measures, including drug-sniffing dogs, undercover security officers that specializes in narcotics patrolling and free water.
With the drug commonly recognized in the media, whether in articles or songs such as “Pop a Molly,” it brings the question to the table: Has Molly made its way to Oneonta?
Students are saying ‘yes’.
“It comes in waves. For the Halloween Masquerave, mad people had it. If there are big parties or events designed for Molly, it’ll come around. Overall though, I think it’s harder to get nowadays,” an anonymous SUNY Oneonta senior said.
Other Oneonta students could not comment on the drug’s prevalence on SUNY Oneonta’s campus, but had described the drug’s effects as a “euphoric body high” and “a body orgasm.” These students shared the belief that Molly isn’t dangerous in moderation.
A junior student that wishes to remain anonymous said, “When it’s [Molly] done in the right setting, under the right conditions, it’s fine. Aspirin is dangerous when it’s not the right amount and everything. Everything in moderation.”
When another student was asked if they thought the drug was dangerous, the sophomore responded with, “Yes, absolutely. My friends that are dealers don’t even mess with the drug anymore because there are so many experimental drugs out there that aren’t even real Molly.”
With a mix of hesitation and appreciation for the drug on our campus, it is apparent that further education on its effects should be distributed to students. Although the drug has been known as a euphoric craze, it now seems that there is a slight fear that has been instilled in the potential users after drug experimentation has been foreseen in the media and on the streets.
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