New trends in substance abuse: the era of designer drugs

MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, better known in Belgium under the name "ecstasy" is a psychoactive drug which is extremely popular among teenagers and young adults. Wrongly considered to be a safe drug, it is in fact harmful both on organic and psychological grounds. Ecstasy is known under different names in Europe: XTC, Adam, or "E'. Ecstasy addicts compel us to requestion our profiles concerning drug addicts, namely as belonging to a poor socioeconomic class or being involved in delinquency Single drug addiction is becoming extremely rare. It is rapidly giving way to the concept of multiple drug addiction. Ecstasy is frequently mixed with other substances such as antidepressants, amphetamines or strychnine. In Belgium, it is the second most consumed drug (after cannabis) at "rave" parties. This phenomenon leads to the creation of a new subculture.