3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine

ECDD Technical summary
In March 1984, the Director-General of WHO recommended 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) for international control. The justification of the recommendation stated that MDA was capable of producing a state of dependence and central nervous. system stimulation resulting in disturbances in behaviour and mood. MDA had the capacity to produce similar abuse and similar ill effects as STP and was being abused so as to constitute a public health and social problem warranting international control. There was no evidence of therapeutic use for MDA. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommended that MDA be added to Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971. On the basis of this recommendation, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs placed MDA in Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. A review of the general pharmacology of this compound shows certain similarities to currently controlled drugs. The. pharmacological and neurochemical profiles of MDA are substantially similar to those of both LSD and amphetamine. In animal experiments to assess its dependence potential, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine has been shown to be a reinforcer and, in drug discrimination assays the S-(+)-isomer was found to be amphetamine-like. No data are available regarding its clinical abuse potential. There is evidence from several countries of abuse of the drug and of its toxicity. Governmental seizures of the substance, including those that have occurred since March 1984, indicate that there has been illicit trafficking in the drug. The Expert Committee felt that there is enough evidence available to demonstrate that significant public health problems are associated with the use of this substance. It was the consensus of the Expert Committee that the recommendation of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs to place 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine in Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances should not be changed.