The findings were revealed in a report by the Trimbos Institute in the Netherlands.
A typical ecstasy pill is now twice as strong as it was in 2005 despite the fact the price of a pill has barely changed in the same period, according to research by the internationally-renowned Trimbos Institute in the Netherlands.
A report released by the Trimbos Institute, referenced in The Irish Times, reveals that tests last year showed that the average ecstasy pill contained an average of 150mg of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) compared to an average of 81mg in 2005.
The tests also revealed that some ecstasy pills contained 3.5 times more MDMA than the 2005 average but despite the increased strength, the cost of an ecstasy pill has remained at approximately €4 in that period.
The use of ecstasy became hugely popular during the early 1990s but use of the drug had waned until a revival in recent years.
Rather worryingly, the Global Drugs survey reported last year that Ireland had the second-highest consumption of the drug in the world behind Australia.
Last weekend, a 17-year old girl who is believed to have taken ecstasy died after an adverse reaction to a version of the drug labelled ‘Mastercard’ at a rave in Manchester.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
