Lusthof K.J.^*, Ruiter B.^*, Smink B.E.^*, Zweipfenning P.G.M.^*, van Ingen G.^**, Visser R.^**

^* Forensic Science Laboratory, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
^** Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Rijswijk, The Netherlands

Amphetamine- and phenylpropanolamine-derivatives, such as MDMA, MDA and MDEA, are widely misused in the Netherlands. The use of these drugs at "raves" or dance-parties is thought to increase the risk of fatal cardiovascular complications in young people under these circumnstances. In this report, we present cases of apparent drug overdose, in which amphetamine- or phenylpropanolamine-derivatives were involved. These cases were brought to our attention in the years 1994 to 1997.
37 Cases were obtained from the years 1994-1997. In 19 cases, amphetamine- and/or phenylpropanolamine-derivatives were considered to be the main cause of death. Seven of these 19 cases were related to the visit of a dance-party. In 2 of of the other 18 cases, the combination of an amphetamine- and/or phenylpropanolamine-derivatives with another illicit drug was considered to be the main cause of death. In 9 of the remaining 16 cases, other drugs or combinations of drugs were considered to be the main cause of death. In 7 cases, the cause of death could not be concluded from toxicological data.
In a recent fatality, a new phenylpropanolamine-derivative was found (thiomethylamphetamine - TMA).
The pathological findings in the 7 cases related to the visit of a dance-party focus on cardiovascular complications.