Historical development of MDMA use and abuse

Abstract

MDMA (ecstasy) has undoubtedly been the most popular recreational drug during the last decade. In spite of its having been synthesised in 1912 it was not employed as a drug by different groups in the United States until the end of the seventies (students, yuppies, gays, and new agers). In 1985 it was included in List I of the Amercican Comprehensive Substances Act, and in 1986, the WHO included it in List I of the Psychotropic Convention. Its greater spread on a worldwide bases has been associated with specific musical and recreational subcultures. In Spain, its spread has been over 5 different phases: previous phase (1978-1986), initial phase (1987-1989), popularity phase (1990-1991), phase of common use and masive consumption (1992-1996), and routine and end of cycle or stabilisation phase (1997-). During the last few years a considerable interest has been shown by international and national organisations to begin joint actions in order to know the real epidemiological magnitud of the phenomenon, its consequences on health, and the development of preventive actions to ameliorate the potential risks associated with its consumption.