News

Actions

Finding Molly: A Warning for Parents

Posted at 10:47 PM, Feb 13, 2013
and last updated 2013-02-14 05:17:59-05

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — Ecstasy is a chemical formula that’s been around for a century. But it has a different name in some groups, and parents may miss the reference.

“Molly” is a white, powdery form of Ecstacy.

Ecstacy is popularly used illegally at rave parties to get high. Its abbreviated chemical name is MDMA and often comes in pill form. From $20 a pill to $100 a gram, users get a three to four hour high.

“And typically people will actually snort it,” said Stephanie Vanderkooi, a drug prevention coordinator. Vanderkooi is with the Lakeshore Coordinating Council, which offers prevention and recovery services through its offices in Grand Haven.

The majority of users are in their late teens or early 20’s. They’re not just hearing about it by word of mouth. It’s from peers and pop culture, such as Kanye West’s song ‘Mercy.’ “He talks about it in there, and the code name is kind of Molly,” said Vanderkooi.

“And then Madonna was talking it as well on her summer concert tour, and she talks about it over and over, ‘Has anyone seen Molly?’” she added.

Vanderkooi said if a parent hears the term, their ears should perk up. Before it’s too late, she suggests having a conversation with your teen. Also, know the signs.

Outside of the ‘high,’ there’s potentially dangerous consequences: increased heart-rate, severe dehydration or worse. “Death could be something that could occur to if a person takes too much,” Vanderkooi said.

The signs don’t have to be physical. The term ‘Molly’ pops up on social media and yields many results on Twitter.

“As a parent, you probably want to check your Internet settings … just to see if your kids are looking for websites.”

Other code names for Ecstasy to be aware of are Skittles, Vitamin E, Vitamin X, and several others.