Other Dangerous Drugs

National Drug Intelligence Center
Guam Drug Threat Assessment
August 2003

Other dangerous drugs including MDMA, inhalants, and diverted pharmaceuticals are a small but growing threat to Guam. MDMA is increasingly available and abused in the territory. Inhalants and diverted pharmaceuticals pose a threat because of their ready availability.

MDMA

The availability and abuse of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy) on Guam are increasing. Authorities on Guam suspect that some U.S. military personnel are responsible for transporting small quantities of MDMA from the mainland into Guam and possibly to other islands in the area. DEA participated in several investigations with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in 2000 and 2001 that resulted in the seizure of small quantities of MDMA from Navy personnel.

MDMA

MDMA, also known as Adam, ecstasy, XTC, E, and X, is a stimulant and low-level hallucinogen. Sometimes called the hug drug, MDMA purportedly helps abusers to be more "in touch" with others and "opens channels of communication." However, abuse of the drug can cause psychological problems similar to those associated with methamphetamine and cocaine abuse including confusion, depression, sleeplessness, anxiety, and paranoia. The physical effects can include muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. MDMA abuse also can cause a marked increase in body temperature leading to muscle breakdown, kidney failure, cardiovascular system failure, stroke, or seizure as reported in some fatal cases. Research suggests that MDMA abuse may result in long-term and sometimes permanent damage to parts of the brain that are critical to thought and memory.

Inhalants

Many young people on Guam experiment with easily accessible inhalants such as glue, gasoline, typewriter correction fluid, lacquer thinner, fabric protector, nonflammable fluorocarbon, spray paint, cooking spray, nitrous oxide, and butane.

Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Although there are no data available to determine the extent of pharmaceutical diversion, abusers are known to obtain prescription drugs via illegal means such as forgery, theft, fraud, and threats to physicians. Some physicians also engage in indiscriminate prescribing practices. The Guam CQA seized 3,177 grams of anabolic steroids in 2001, after not seizing any in 2000.

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