Table 3.
Risk estimation based on 1747 ecstasy-related incidents reported to Monitor Drug Incidents (MDI) by 370,000 last year users of ecstasy (assuming a coverage by MDI of 33%), the Global Drug Survey survey (GDS, 2019), and 11 m last-year consumers of alcohol in the Netherlands (van Laar et al., 2019).
| Type of incident | Risk of a non-fatal incident | |
|---|---|---|
| % | Per user/per dose | |
| Ecstasy-related incidents (MDI) a | ||
| All incidents per user | 1.4 | 1 in 70 users |
| All incidents per pillb | 0.3 | 1 in 340 pills |
| Moderate to severe incidents per pill | 0.11 | 1 in 900 pills |
| Severe incidents per pillc | 0.03 | 1 in 3400 pills |
| Severe incidents per user | 0.14 | 1 in 700 users |
| Ecstasy-related incidents (GDS, 2019)d | ||
| Emergency medical treatment required | 0.6 | 1 in 160 users |
| Emergency medical treatment required (per pill) | 0.125 | 1 in 800 pills |
| Cocaine-related incidents (MDI) a | ||
| All incidents per user | 0.45 | 1 in 215 users |
| All incidents per doseb | 0.12 | 1 in 850 doses |
| Moderate to severe incidents per dose | 0.06 | 1 in 1600 doses |
| Severe incidents per dose | 0.02 | 1 in 6000 doses |
| GHB-related incidents (MDI) a | ||
| All incidents per user | 3.5 | 1 in 270 users |
| All incidents per doseb | 1.4 | 1 in 70 doses |
| Moderate to severe incidents per dose | 1.05 | 1 in 95 doses |
| Severe incidents per dose | 0.47 | 1 in 212 doses |
| Alcohol-related incidents e | ||
| Assistance of ED requiredf | 0.15 | 1 in 650 users |
| Severe incidentsg | 0.05 | 1 in 2000 users |
| Severe traffic accidentsh | 0.03 | 1 in 3000 users |
ED: emergency department; GHB: gamma-hydroxybutyrate; ICU: intensive care unit.
Putatively occurring nationwide, based on an estimated coverage by MDI of 33% of all incidents.
Based on median number of four sessions yearly, where 1.2 ecstasy pill is consumed per session; for cocaine: four sessions yearly; for GHB: 2.5 sessions yearly.
21% Of incidents are severe: the patient requires medical stabilisation at the ICU.
Dutch ecstasy users seeking emergency medical treatment in the last 12 months following ecstasy use (GDS, 2019).
Based on a total of 11 m drinkers in the Netherlands.
Some ED assistance was necessary in 17,800 alcohol-use-related accidents (van Laar et al., 2006).
In 2017, 6000 alcohol-related intoxications required treatment in the ED (van Laar et al., 2006).
Nearly 4000 severe alcohol-related traffic-related injuries required hospitalization.