4-FA: XTC’s innocent little brother?
The Netherlands is famous for its tolerant drugs policy. But a popular new drug called 4-FA is causing trouble in pot-smokers’ paradise. Researchers warn that 4-FA is a lot more dangerous than its nickname, “XTC light”, suggests.
XTC light
Recreational use of 4FA is not only legal, but also increasingly popular in the Netherlands. It’s an amphetamine-like drug that makes you feel happy and energized. Because users report that they still feel “in control” when they’re on the drug and it doesn’t cause any severe after-effects, 4-FA is often referred to as “XTC light”.
Risks
Research by the Dutch Trimbos Institute has shown that 4-FA is actually not as harmless as its nickname might suggest. While side-effects can start out as a light headache or a slight increase in blood pressure, they can quickly escalate into for example heart issues or cerebral hemorrhage. Daan van der Gouwe, a researcher at the institute, is worried that the legality of the drug might imply that it comes with little to no risks. However, the legality is simply a result of the lack of research. Now that evidence for the risks of this drug has been found, it is not unlikely that the government will reconsider its legality.
Legality
Other countries like Germany and the United Kingdom have already preceded the Netherlands in prohibiting the drug. On the 13th of October, the Dutch Coordination point Assessment and Monitoring of new drugs (CAM) will meet to look into the legality of the drug in the Netherlands. Their findings will result into an official advice to the Dutch Ministry of Health. Considering the new-found risks, this might result in the illegality of 4-FA. The question is just how effective this illegality will be. According to Van der Gouwe, it won’t be long before a new variety of amphetamine-based drugs will take the drug-market by storm.
