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Bath Salt-Derivative Eyed In Electric Zoo Deaths
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Sep 12, 2013
Modified Sep 12, 2013
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DEA
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Sep 12, 2013
Modified Sep 12, 2013
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Toxicology reports are still pending in the deaths of two Electric Zoo attendees last month, but authorities are now looking at the possibility that the fatalities were caused by a chemical akin to bath salts, not overdoses of molly (slang for MDMA). The Post reports that 20-year-old Staten Island resident Matthew Rybarczyk died in June after ingesting what he believed was molly at a party on Governors Island, but turned out to be methylone, a chemical that can produce effects similar to MDMA but is often toxic.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan says the city is seeing a "proliferation" of methylone being sold on the black market.
Though bath salts are outlawed in New York State, methylone is not covered under the ban, though it is federally classified as a Schedule 1 drug.
"We urgently need a law that would allow us to prosecute the sale of this deadly substance," Brennan said. That law was passed this last legislative session, and is expected to be signed by Governor Cuomo soon.
“Kids think ‘Molly’ is a pure, safe ecstasy, but it’s not,” a DEA agent tells the tabloid. “It’s not pure, it’s not safe and it’s not even ecstasy.” Testing kits are being sold to help determine the veracity of your drug dealer's claims.
Tagged
bath salts
dea
drugs
electric zoo
mdma
Molly
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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