IMPORTANT: Reagent Reaction Updates

This post contains information about several major reagent reactions that need to be updated on DanceSafe printed materials. The reaction changes are listed below, along with explanations. A longer discussion around reagents and reactions in general is included at the end.  By: Rachel Clark, Education Manager DanceSafe National has determined that several reagent reactions on the DanceSafe color chart are no longer accurate, specifically those listed for cocaine, MDA, 2C-B, and oxycodone. Discussion summary: It is critically important to understand that reagent testing is looking for red flags, not green lights. Reagents cannot be used to confirm the contents of your substance. Some...

#TestIt Alert: Light pink Superman tablet sold in San Antonio, TX as MDMA but actually contains caffeine and methamphetamine

By: Rachel Clark, DanceSafe Contractor A light pink Superman logo-shaped tablet with a score line on the back was sold in San Antonio, TX as MDMA but actually contains 2 parts caffeine and 1 part methamphetamine. The sample was both sourced and sold in San Antonio, TX.  The sample turned orange to brown in the presence of the Marquis reagent, yellow with the Mecke reagent, and yellow-green with the Mandelin reagent.  MDMA, while a stimulant by nature, does not have drastic stimulating effects on the central nervous system in the same way that caffeine and methamphetamine do. The combination of caffeine and methamphetamine...

#TestIt Alert: Clear capsule of brown powder sold in San Diego, CA as MDMA but actually contains caffeine, lidocaine, MDPV, and 5-MeO-DALT 

By: Rachel Clark, DanceSafe Contractor A clear capsule containing a brown powder was sold in San Diego, CA as MDMA but actually contained 5 parts caffeine, 2 parts lidocaine, 1 part MDPV, and 1 part 5-MeO-DALT. The sender noted that it has a very strong, odd smell. The sample was both sourced and sold in San Diego, CA.  The sample turned yellow to brown in the presence of Marquis and red-brown in the presence of both Mecke and Mandelin reagents.  Caffeine is a common adulterant of MDMA, due to its stimulating and wakefulness-inducing properties.  Lidocaine is typically used to adulterate cocaine and other substances...

#TestIt Alert: Red rectangular Red Bull pill with a bull stamped on one side and “Red Bull” stamped on the other, separated by a score line, sold in Dallas, TX as MDMA but actually contains N-Ethylpentylone

By: Rachel Clark, DanceSafe Intern A red, rectangular pill with a bull stamped on one side and the words “Red Bull” stamped on the other, separated by a score line, was sold in Dallas, TX as MDMA but actually contained N-Ethylpentylone. The sample was sourced in Houston, TX and sold in Dallas, TX.  The sample reacted orange/yellow with the Marquis reagent, orange/yellow with the Mecke reagent, and a very slight color change [no color specified] with the Mandelin reagent.  N-Ethylpentylone, otherwise known as ephylone, is a designer drug of the synthetic cathinone (“bath salts”) class. High doses of N-Ethylpentylone (over approximately 80mg) may...

#TestIt Alert: Green-blue circular tablet with tan speckles and “A1” stamped on one side sold in the Bay Area, CA as MDMA but actually contains caffeine, MDA, and methylsulfonylmethane

By: Rachel Clark, DanceSafe Intern A round green-blue pill with splotches of tan/brown and “A1” stamped into one side was sold as MDMA in the Bay Area, CA, but actually contains caffeine, MDA, and methylsulfonylmethane. The sample was sourced in Los Angeles, CA, and submitted from the Bay Area, CA.  The sample reacted purple with the Marquis reagent, purple to blue to black with the Mecke reagent, and purple to brown with the Mandelin reagent.  MDA is traditionally considered to be more psychedelic and stimulating than MDMA, with a slightly lower empathogenic profile and marginally longer duration of action. Because of this, set...

#TestIt Alert issued for Salt Lake City, UT

A clear capsule containing a white, crystalline substance sold as Molly/MDMA was sourced from West Valley, UT, but submitted from Salt Lake City. This sample tested as N-Ethylpentylone, a substituted cathinone. Little is known about N-Ethylpentylone and its effects, as its physiological and toxicological actions have not been characterized.