By Bryant Hevesi for Daily Mail Australia
A deadly drug known as ‘monkey dust’ is sweeping the Australian party scene, leading to warnings from authorities.
The drug, also referred to as bath salts or MDPV, is being sold across the nation’s music festivals and dancefloors in increasing numbers.
The potent drug is a powerful derivative of methamphetamine, or ice, and is also cheap, with a street value of as little as $10 per dose.
But expert toxicologists warn ‘monkey dust’ is dangerous and causes wild hallucinations and impressions of invincibility.
Users overseas have been filmed jumping in front of cars and standing perilously on tall buildings because the drug makes them think they cannot be harmed.
One Australian woman’s tongue bled after she aggressively licked the dancefloor when she took the drug, which can be smoked, snorted or taken in pill form.
Andrew Leibie, a leading forensic toxicologist, told the Herald Sun ‘monkey dust’ is ‘certainly a contender for the fatal drug overdoses we are seeing’, having emerged as the ‘it’ drug on the Australian party scene.
He said the drug is ‘cheaper than ecstasy and it’s a lot more dangerous’ and only a small dose can be fatal.
‘The minute your friends start acting strangely, go get medical help. You have a window of about 30 minutes to one hour to get treatment – after that, it’s too late,’ Mr Leibie said.
Mr Leibie previously told Seven News users will ‘have frightening hallucinations’.
A lot of people also report that when they take this drug they feel like Superman, so they feel like they can literally fly,’ he said.
The drug has previously caused problems for Australian authorities – in 2012, the deaths of two people from South Australia was linked to the use of ‘monkey dust’.
What is ‘Monkey Dust’?
– ‘Monkey Dust’ is the colloquial street term for the drug MDPV, a potent strain of methamphetamine
– The drug a powerful hallucinogenic which causes paranoia and a false sense of invincibility
– Due to its potency, a small dose of about two milligrams is issued, making it incredibly cheap and easy to overdose on
– The drug been given a street value of about $10-$15 per hit, making it extremely deadly
– Side effects of the drug include: euphoria, mood lift, elevation in heart rate, paranoia and confusion
The Australian Federal Police last year seized 4.5kg of the drug, or half a million doses, and warned consuming the drug was a gamble with your life that is not worth taking.
‘Anyone who is considering experimenting with illicit drugs or new psychoactive substances, no matter how they are branded or presented, do not do it,’ an AFP spokeswoman told the Herald Sun.
‘Monkey dust’ is difficult for authorities to detect as sniffer dogs and existing roadside tests are unable to pick it up.
The drug – which causes violent and psychotic episodes – has been linked to dozens of deaths in the UK.
Four people have died in as many months from suspected drug overdoses at music festivals in New South Wales.
