Dutch institute issues 'red alert' over Trump-shaped ecstasy pills

The Trimbos Institute, a Dutch drug addiction and mental health research center, has issued a red alert warning residents about potentially lethal ecstasy pills shaped like the head of US President Donald Trump. Several of these pills were turned in to testing centers in August and tested positive for an exceptionally high level of PMMA, a chemical akin to MDMA found in ecstasy.

The institute strongly advises against using these pills, warning that they pose a significant risk of overheating and potentially fatal consequences. The pills feature a portrait of Trump's head on one side and the words "Trump" and "NL" on the other. PMMA, or para-methoxymethamphetamine, is a substance similar to MDMA but with delayed effects and often lacks the stimulating qualities, increasing the risk of overdose.

Symptoms reported include nausea, increased heart rate, and convulsions hours after ingestion. The Trimbos Institute spokesperson, Anniek Groothuis, stated there have been no reported cases of death or serious illness among potential users. Despite being illegal in the Netherlands, ecstasy remains popular as a party drug; in 2022, over 550,000 people had tried it at least once.

This incident is not the first time Trump's features have inspired ecstasy pill designs; in 2017, German authorities seized around 5,000 carrot-colored pills shaped like the president's head, believed to have been promoted online with the slogan "Trump makes partying great again."