Brexit and the pandemic are being blamed for a surge in fake ecstasy tablets which may be even more dangerous.
A new study claims half on sale don’t contain MDMA due to supply chain issues caused by our EU exit coupled with lockdowns that led to a slump in party drug sales.
It means festival fans could be forking out for pills full of caffeine, speed or worrying new drug cathinone that can cause psychosis.
Study author Dr Michael Pascoe of Cardiff University said research at festivals and nationwide found “an unprecedented shift in ecstasy quality after Brexit and lockdowns” and that cathinones have been “mis-sold” as ecstasy.
Dr Pascoe added: “Suppliers scaled back production in lockdowns then as UK nightlife re-opened ahead of countries in Europe, demand outpaced supply.
“This was compounded by Brexit-related supply chain disruptions.
“Without tests, it’s impossible to tell what’s really in the drugs people buy.”
The full study is in the journal Drug Science, Policy and Law.
