Written question asked by Paul Stinchcombe (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 September 2002. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Thursday, 19 September 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether seized ecstasy tablets are tested to see whether they are cut with other illegal drugs.

Answer: Mr. Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether seized ecstasy tablets are tested to see whether they are cut with other illegal drugs. [71854] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Ecstasy can, and does kill unpredictably. There is no such thing as a safe dose and Ecstasy does not need to be contaminated with any other drug to kill. Seized ecstasy tablets (MDMA) are tested for the presence of other illegal drugs by the Forensic Science Service (FSS). The analytical methods employed by the FSS to test ecstasy tablets identify a range of other controlled substances, such as other ecstasy type drugs; opiates such as heroin and codeine; cocaine; amphetamines and methylamphetamine; diazepam; cannabis and methadone. The test will identify material down to a concentration of one per cent. or less. In the case of a suspected ecstasy related fatality, the FSS would screen for, and if present, quantify the ecstasy in the deceased's blood. The FSS would also screen for other common controlled substances, such as the types listed above.

Secondary information