The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition is cautioning citizens and visitors to remain vigilant about the dangers associated with the use of illicit drugs, particularly MDMA, commonly referred to as Molly, Ecstasy or crystals.
The advisory has been issued through the National Early Warning System for new and emerging drug threats, as concerns grow about the serious health risks linked to the substance.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Sharon Belmar George explained that MDMA can appear in several forms, making it difficult for users to identify what they are consuming.
“It may be a crystal, powder, capsule or tablet form,” she said. “In tablet form, it is produced in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, often having logos, symbols or pictures.” She added that MDMA is not naturally occurring. “MDMA is a synthetically produced drug which has stimulant effects.”
Dr Belmar George noted that while some users may initially experience pleasurable sensations, these effects often come with significant risks.
“There will likely be feelings of intense euphoria, excitement and happiness, enhanced sensory perception to touch, smell and sight senses become more sensitive and intense,” she explained. According to the chief medical officer, users may also experience “emotional, social and sexual openness,” which can impair judgment. “This often results in impulsive behaviour and poor self-regulation as individuals tend to act without normal thinking or control,” she said.
The ministry is particularly concerned about the immediate and short-term health consequences of MDMA use, which can escalate rapidly. Dr Belmar George outlined a range of potential physical reactions.
“In the immediate or short-term use of MDMA, an individual may experience a more rapid heartbeat, increased body temperature, sweating, dehydration, blurred vision, seizures, muscle tension, jaw clenching, brain swelling, nausea and vomiting,” she warned.
She further cautioned that in some cases, the effects can become severe and life-threatening. “It may also become as extreme as loss of consciousness, paranoia, out-of-character behaviour,” Dr Belmar George said.
The Ministry of Health is urging the public to avoid illicit substances altogether and to seek immediate medical attention if someone exhibits symptoms linked to MDMA use. Officials say the Early Warning System remains a critical tool in identifying emerging drug threats and protecting public health through timely information and awareness.