Covid and Brexit behind surge in counterfeit ecstasy pills made from psychotic drugs

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Sales of club drugs have plummeted during lockdown and are thought to be mixed with caffeine, speed and the new drug cathinone, which can cause serious mental health problems

Brexit and the pandemic are being blamed for a surge in counterfeit ecstasy pills that could be even more dangerous.

A new study claims half of the medicines on sale do not contain MDMA, due to supply chain problems caused by our exit from the EU combined with lockdowns causing a slump in club drug sales.

That means festival fans could reach for pills full of caffeine, speed or the worrying new drug Cathinone, which can cause psychosis.

Study author Dr. Cardiff University’s Michael Pascoe said research at festivals and across the country had found “an unprecedented change in the quality of ecstasy following Brexit and lockdowns” and that cathinones had been “mis-sold” as ecstasy.

dr Pascoe added: “Suppliers throttled production in lockdowns as nightlife in the UK reopened ahead of countries in Europe and demand outstripped supply.

“This has been exacerbated by supply chain disruptions related to Brexit.

“Without testing, it’s impossible to tell what’s really in the drugs people are buying.”

The full study is published in the journal Drug Science, Policy and Law.