A Dutch drug addiction and mental health institute has issued a red alert warning against consuming ecstasy pills shaped like President Donald Trump’s head, citing a potentially fatal ingredient.
The Trimbos Institute of Mental Health and Addiction reported that recent submissions to its drug-testing network revealed ecstasy pills containing PMMA (para-methoxymethamphetamine), a chemical similar to MDMA but with delayed effects. The institute warned that the slow onset could lead users to take additional doses, increasing the risk of overdose, overheating, epileptic seizures, loss of consciousness, or heart problems.
The pills feature Trump’s face on one side and the text “NL” and “Trump” on the back, with variations in color including green and yellow faces. The institute released images of the pills and urged the public: “Absolutely do not use these pills.”
Official Response and Testing Network
The Trimbos Institute operates a national drug-checking program in the Netherlands, where ecstasy use is illegal but widespread, particularly at clubs and music festivals. A 2024 government report estimated that 550,000 people in the Netherlands used ecstasy in the past year. The institute’s network includes 12 participants and 34 testing locations across the country.
Anniek Groothuis, a spokesperson for the institute, told The Associated Press that no overdose or death cases linked to these specific pills have been reported. However, she emphasized the potential lethality of PMMA contamination in ecstasy.
Historical Context and Previous Seizures
This is not the first instance of Trump-shaped ecstasy pills being seized. In 2018, Indiana State Police confiscated orange Trump-shaped ecstasy pills with the phrase “great again” on the back, referencing Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan. In 2017, German authorities seized thousands of orange Trump-shaped ecstasy pills with an estimated street value of $46,000.
Health Risks of PMMA in Ecstasy
PMMA is structurally similar to MDMA but acts more slowly, delaying the onset of effects. This can mislead users into consuming additional doses, leading to dangerous levels of toxicity. Symptoms of PMMA overdose include severe hyperthermia, serotonin syndrome, and cardiovascular failure.
Legal Status and Public Health Measures
While ecstasy production, sale, and use are illegal in the Netherlands, the country has adopted a harm reduction approach, allowing drug-checking services to mitigate risks. The Trimbos Institute’s red alert is part of broader efforts to warn users about contaminated substances circulating in the illegal drug market.