Ecstasy (MDMA) Deaths in New York City: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
James R. Gill, Jude R. Hayes, Ian S. Desouza, Elizabeth K. Marker, Marina Stajić
Journal of Forensic Sciences 2002 DOI: 10.1520/jfs15211j (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective review Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | MDMA-positive fatalities investigated by the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner from 1997 to 2000 |
| Duration | January 1997 to June 2000 |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Medical examiner Poison control Drug overdose Substance abuse Blunt Injury prevention Hallucinogen Epidemiology |
| Citations | 77 |
| Key findings | Of 22 MDMA-positive deaths, 13 were due to acute drug intoxication, 7 to mechanical injury, and 2 to a combination of natural disease and acute drug intoxication. |
Abstract
Abstract MDMA (“ecstasy”) has gained renewed popularity as a drug of abuse. To access the epidemiology and causes of death of MDMA-positive fatalities, all deaths investigated by the OCME that tested positive for MDMA (22 deaths) between January 1997 and June 2000 were reviewed. There were three deaths in each 1997 and 1998, eleven in 1999, and five in the first part of 2000. Of these 22 deaths, 13 were due to acute drug intoxications, 7 due to mechanical injury (blunt trauma, gunshot wounds), and 2 due to a combination of natural disease and acute drug intoxication. Evidence of recent opiate and/or cocaine use was found in 7 of the acute intoxication deaths and in none of the traumatic or combination natural/intoxication deaths. The race of all decedents was White between the ages of 17–41 years, and 18 of 22 were men.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 17
- Fatalities temporally associated with the ingestion of ibogaine. Journal of Forensic Sciences March 1, 2012
- Morbidity associated with MDMA (ecstasy) abuse: A survey of emergency department admissions Human & Experimental Toxicology May 20, 2010
- Use of MDA (The "Love Drug") and Methamphetamine in Toronto by Unsuspecting Users of Ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Forensic Sciences September 1, 2004
- Impact of Cytochrome P450 2D6 Function on the Chiral Blood Plasma Pharmacokinetics of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Its Phase I and II Metabolites in Humans. PLoS One June 15, 2016
- Trends in toxicological findings and drug seizures of MDMA in New Zealand from 2010 to 2022 Journal of Forensic Sciences February 12, 2026
and 12 more in the library
Cites 18
- The molecular mechanism of "ecstasy" [3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)]: serotonin transporters are targets for MDMA-induced serotonin release. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences March 1, 1992
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
- Pathology of deaths associated with "ecstasy" and "eve" misuse. Journal of Clinical Pathology February 1, 1996
- Human Pharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine ("Ecstasy"): Psychomotor Performance and Subjective Effects Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology August 1, 2000
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' JAMA March 27, 1987
and 13 more in the library