CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF ILLICIT TABLETS FROM FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE SEIZURE

Abstract

Ecstasy is the common name for illicit street drugs that contain 3,4-methylenedioxy- methamphetamine (MDMA) or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine hydrochloride (MDMA.HCl) as the active ingredient. It has a number of effects on the user from affecting mood to disrupting brain and liver functions. There are a number of impurities in ecstasy tablets which are present due to the synthesis route used or the addition of other ingredients that may enhance or dampen the effect of MDMA when consumed. Raman spectra and PXRD diffractogram results showed that none of the samples analysed contained MDMA despite being marketed as such; therefore, user of ecstasy are exposing themselves to other chemical compounds that are potentially harmful to them.