4-MTA: a new synthetic drug on the dance scene

Abstract

4-MTA (p-methylthioamphetamine) is a new synthetic sulphur derivative of amphetamine that has been associated with six deaths since it was first identified in Europe in 1997. Sold as 'ecstasy' or 'Flatliners', the drug like MDMA is a potent serotonin releaser. Using a self-nominated sampling methodology we accessed over 1000 dance drug users through a magazine survey. Ten percent of respondents thought that they had used 4-MTA. Those with experience of 4-MTA tended to come from a sub-population of heavy 'ecstasy'-users. Responses to the effects of the drug were mixed, although about a quarter of those who believed that they had tried 4-MTA thought that they would use it again.