The Trimbos Institute, the leading Dutch institution for addiction research, has issued a warning regarding drugs shaped like heads. The warning centres on tablets that feature a depiction of the US president on one side and the inscription 'NL' on the reverse. The institution, based in Utrecht, warns that these tablets must not be used under any circumstances, stressing their extreme danger to health.
The reason for the urgent intervention is the chemical composition of these preparations. Analysis has revealed that they contain a high amount of the chemical PMMA. Although this substance is structurally similar to the active ingredient in standard ecstasy tablets, its effect on the body is markedly different. The Trimb Institute states that the effects of PMMA appear later, and users often do not experience the pleasant, stimulating feeling characteristic of other forms of this drug.
Consequently, consumption can lead to serious physiological reactions. The institution warns that symptoms such as nausea and a rapid heartbeat may appear after ingestion, and in more severe cases, dangerous convulsions. Although the institution notes that there have been no reported cases of death or severe long-term consequences among those who have already tried the drug, the risk of sudden and dangerous health complications remains high.
This is not the first time a tablet shape has been used as a marketing or recognisable element in the drug world. Similar incidents have been recorded previously, but this case stands out due to the specific visual identity. A similar case was recorded in 2017, when Dutch police seized 5,000 orange tablets in the shape of a US president's head. These drugs were marketed with the slogan 'Trump makes partying great again', demonstrating how political symbols are often used to attract attention and sell illegal substances.
Although the sale, production and use of ecstasy is illegal in the Netherlands, the popularity of these substances remains high. According to data from 2022, around 550,000 people in the Netherlands have tried this type of drug at least once. This fact, combined with recent warnings, highlights the need for caution and informed awareness among users, given that unregulated use can have severe and irreversible consequences for health.
