A friend of mine took half a Flatliner upon arrival at a rave earlier this year, and had already double dumped two E's an hour before. This half-pill hit him within ten minutes, and his three years of prior drug experience had not prepared him in any way for the night he was in for.

None of us knew he had taken this, and he probably didn't tell us due to the controversy surrounding such "flatliners" featured in the news around that time. They had been said to be 33 times stronger than the regular dose of MDMA in an Ecstasy pill, and can lower the heart rate to a dangerous level. Chemically named 4MTA, it was created as an anti-depressant similar to Prozac and is now illegally manufactured in up to 20 times its original strength.

Within ten minutes he was on the floor. He could not support his head, his eyes were rolling back and he resembled a rag doll, with no real physical control over his body's actions. It was quickly devised that he needed medical attention and was taken outside where a convulsive fit followed for about two minutes. An ambulance was called.

To me he looked like he was peaking extremely hard, too hard to be of anything remotely normal. I was terrified and on E's myself, so my sense of judgement was seriously altered.

In hospital his heart rate continued to lower until it stopped and he was revived a number of times.
For someone who was technically dead he is very very lucky to be alive.

I am not an anti-drug activist. I am not trying to preach to anyone or suggest they leave their drug taking days behind them.

What I am, is emotionally affected by this and too many other experiences I have had with friends and myself fucking up on drugs. I have been dumping pills for about a year and a half and have seen a huge personality change in myself and fellow ravers. I have seen three people into hospital, and watched a close friend nearly die.

One can think that they are taking drugs sensibly but it is always possible to underestimate one's limits. Unfortunately my friend's message came in the form of half a flatliner which almost cost him his life.

Rave safe and keep smiling,

anon.

Australia
March 1999

 

Disclaimer This Guide is provided for informational purposes ONLY. RaveSafe, it's volunteers and its sponsors do not condone or advocate the use of illegal substances. RaveSafe accepts NO responsibility for the way the information in this used, nor for any harm that might occur from the use of the information contained in this document. Although a concerted effort has been made to ensure the validity of the information contained in this document, no guarantees or assurances of accuracy are provided by anyone. Read and act at your own risk.