The information on these pages is designed to give you and idea of what drugs do and the risks involved. As a service, we accept that drug use is part of the World and Island we live in today and are here to help if you need us.

Drug use is risky, there are no regulations on illegal drugs (such as strength or content) and so you’ll never know what you’ve really bought. We want you to be safe and make informed decisions – it could affect the rest of your life. If your drugs use, or that of a friend, family member or colleague is causing you concern, don’t be ashamed or afraid to get in touch if you need help or support.

What is it? Although we haven't as yet come across PMA on the Island - and we hope we don't -  (let us know if you have), the fact that it's been found in Europe and the reports of it in the UK, is enough to warrant a mention. PMA is a hallucinogenic stimulant and one of the most dangerous and toxic hallucinogens known. Not bought as a recreational drug - it's fake Ecstasy really - but comes in tablet form with various logos including the 'Mitsubishi'.

Whilst tablets come in different colours (white, tan, red, yellow) the Mitsubishi tablet is the most famous as those seized and tested with that logo have tended to contain PMA. Tablet's are usually unscored white or tan in colour and are thicker than most pills and have a diameter of 7 or 7.5mm by 5mm thick. But tablets will always vary in size, colour and logo so it's difficult to say what you're looking for.

It is NOT a new version of Ecstasy.

Why do people take it? Well, people don't set out to take it. PMA has been around since the 1970's but never took off as a recreational drug because of the high toxicity. People end up taking it because what they set out to buy was Ecstasy (MDMA) and what they got was PMA or PMMA. Whilst dealers may not necessarily know they're selling fake E, the makers are well aware what chemicals they are using - mostly because they're cheaper than those to make Ecstasy tablets.

What are the effects?  First of all, remember users think they've taken ecstasy, and PMA is said to be 20 times stronger, so for a start things will be more intense. At 'low' doses (and remember you won't know what that is), minor visual hallucinations, mild euphoria and an increase in energy is felt. However, slightly higher doses are enough to cause a sudden increase in blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rates.  PMA can cause muscle spasms and people can feel very unwell after taking it.

What are the risks?  Because PMA can take over half an hour to start to have any effect, users may think they've bought a weak Ecstasy tablet and take another. This is enough to ingest a fatal dose. A high enough dose will cause difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, erratic eye movements, nausea and vomiting at best. At the worst - sudden increase in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperatures (as high as 41.5-46.1 degrees C!!), intracranial haemorrhage, convulsions, coma and death. All in all - worth giving a miss!!

Mixing with other drugs?

DON'T. PMA is potentially lethal if mixed with Amphetamine type substances, Cannabis, Cocaine, the anti-depressant Prozac and Alcohol.

Has anyone died?

Yes - plenty. Deaths since the early 1970's have been reported. However, in the last 5 years deaths have occurred in Australia, many states in the USA (Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Virginia), Canada, Denmark, Austria, Germany and many others. Reports of PMA and PMMA in Spain, Netherlands are also common. Seizures were made in the UK a couple of years ago by police so some is getting to Britain.

Tips on staying safe? The only way to stay safe would not to be use in the first place - but you know that. If you're used to taking E then you know what should happen and notice any signs of trouble.

• If you start to feel strange or get effects you weren't expecting - get help straight away.

• Tell your mates what you're taking in case something goes wrong.

• Take regular sips of non-alcoholic drinks, salty snacks, wear loose clothing and take regular breaks from dancing.

• If you know you're going to be taking drugs - don't mix it with anything else, including alcohol.

IF IN DOUBT GET MEDICAL HELP