ÀÖÓãºǫ́

MDMA, which is widely used recreationally in pill form called ecstasy, is already available in the Netherlands as an illegal hard drug since 1988. What would be the possible advantages and disadvantages of MDMA legalization in the Netherlands? And what type of regulation models would be acceptable for the public?

An online serious is helping to spark discussions and reflections on this topic. Last month, ÀÖÓãºǫ́ Pharmacy students have played the game during an interactive webinar as part of the course . After a short lecture about the history of ecstasy and current debates over its regulation, the game was used to allow students to experience different possible legal sales settings.

The game has been produced by a group of ÀÖÓãºǫ́ researchers and students together with . Players can purchase ecstasy in three different settings - a pharmacy, a smartshop and a party. They can also choose under which conditions sales can happen – age limits to be able to purchase, the quantity and strength of the pills, types of advice given, possibility of advertisement, and so on. A short survey embedded in the game collects players opinions about the ideal setting to purchase ecstasy.  

ÀÖÓãºǫ́ pharmacy students used their knowledge and experience with the game to discuss the advantages disadvantages of the different MDMA sales settings and MDMA regulation in general.