Canadian meth-laced ecstacy invading U.S.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- A new drug -- meth-laced ecstasy -- is being dumped from Canada into the United States for distribution, the office of the U.S. "drug czar" warns.

The combination of methamphetamine and ecstasy can have severe health consequences, since both drugs have toxic effects on the brain, John Walters, head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a news release. Laboratory research suggests ecstasy-meth combinations could lead to greater adverse neuro-chemical and behavioral effects than either drug used alone.

The meth-laced ecstasy has been entering illegal drug markets in the United States, particularly in northern border states, Walters said. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police estimated the total combined production capacity of Canadian ecstasy laboratories exceeds 2 million tablets per week.

"This 'extreme ecstasy' is a disturbing development in what has been one of the most significant international achievements against the illicit drug trade," Walters said.

He said U.S. law enforcement officers are working with the RCMP to put pressure Canadian ecstasy producers by sharing intelligence and coordinating enforcement operations.

Ecstasy use in the United States rose during the 1990s with the advent of the "Rave" culture, but fell in the early 2000s, Walters said.