Netherlands warns of 'extremely dangerous' Trump-faced ecstasy pills containing PMMA

The Trimbos Institute, a Dutch research center for mental health and addiction, has issued a stark warning about "extremely dangerous" ecstasy pills circulating in the Netherlands. These pills contain PMMA (para-methoxymethamfetamine), a substance that poses significant health risks, particularly due to its delayed effects compared to MDMA.

The pills are reportedly available in various colors and are distinguished by an imprint of former U.S. President Donald Trump's face on one side and a score line with "NL" and "Trump" text on the other. The Trimbos Institute highlighted that PMMA's effects can take hours to manifest, unlike MDMA, leading users to potentially take a second dose before the first has taken effect. This delay significantly increases the risk of overdose, with symptoms such as nausea, elevated heart rate, and convulsions potentially occurring hours after consumption.

According to the Trimbos Institute, the consequences of ingesting these PMMA-laden pills can be life-threatening. They strongly advise against their use. The Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport has informed the Dutch parliament about the situation, noting that while no incidents of PMMA detected in blood samples have been reported so far, the warning is being issued proactively, especially with the festival season and upcoming events.

The institute has classified this as a "Red Alert," a designation reserved for highly exceptional circumstances. This measure was previously used in 2016 for ecstasy pills featuring the Superman logo that contained PMMA, and last year when counterfeit oxycodone pills were found in a deceased individual. The current warning emphasizes that the concentration of PMMA in these "Trump" pills appears to be even higher than in previous instances, underscoring the severe danger they pose.