Police warning about 'super-strength' MDMA at Leeds Festival 2019

West Yorkshire Police revealed that there have been reports of dealers selling fake MDMA at recent festivals this summer that has actually turned out to be a substance called N-ethyl Pentylone (NEP).

This is three to four times stronger than normal MDMA.

The Loop, a not-for-profit company that provides drug safety testing, has issued an alert about the drug and said the substance is almost identical to MDMA and is being sold in pill, powder and crystal form.

The 'high' from the drug is said to be much shorter, whilst the negative side effects are much longer.

It can lead to 12 to 48 hours of severe insomnia, paranoia, erratic behaviour and drug-induced psychosis.

Both The Loop and officers have also warned about 'legal highs', stating ghat despite the name, there is no guarantee that it is safe to take or a legal substance.

WYP warned: "Whether it’s claimed to be a legal high or a banned substance, people supplying drugs are more often than not unscrupulous individuals who don’t care about you.

"Aside from the potential effect that anything you take may have on your health and wellbeing, drugs can also have a significant effect on your life and future.

"A conviction for taking or supplying controlled drugs to your friends will impact on your life. This can include travel plans, employment prospects as well as your general reputation.

"Come to the festival and enjoy it but don’t let one bad decision ruin the weekend and jeopardise your future."

Organisers of Leeds Festival have included N-ethyl Pentyloneon a list of substances they know have caused deaths, overdoes, injury and hospitalisations.