Bum Roll

First synthesized in 1912, MDMA (known as ecstasy, E, X, lover's speed, and Adam among other names) became every kids amphetamine/ hallucinogen drug of choice after its arrival on the streets in the 1980’s. MDMA’s most popular form is the pill, which range from every color in the spectrum.  Joining the ranks of Homer Simpson, Snoopy, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Garfield-shaped ecstasy tablets--both real and fake--are those of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama.

On November 30th, a routine police stop in Palmview, Texas led to the arrest of a 22-year old after black tar heroin, cocaine, and marijuana was found in the back seat of the vehicle.  What the officers found more interesting was the discovery of what looked like a “vitamin for kids” that resembled the current U.S. President. 

While the mainstream media outlets gave a lot of coverage to the confiscation, they failed to follow-up and report that the presidential pills weren't ecstasy at all.  The DEA released the pill’s ingredients to EcstacyData.org, revealing BZP, TFMPP, and caffeine as the three main contents. “Party Pills” as they are known in New Zealand and Australia contain the same ingredients and can be purchased legally at head shops, causing complaints of ‘bunk-ness’ to sprout up on drug forums around the net about the Obama pill.

A balanced approach to drug journalism would include follow-up reports on drugs that turn out being something other than what they are sold as, so that more people won't be duped into taking something unknown and potentially dangerous.  That said, it's probably only a matter of time before tablets shaped like Nancy Pelosi turn up on the streets.

Image by the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force