MDMA powder and ecstasy tablets now stronger than ever before, drug experts warn in wake of festival deaths

'Even half a pill can be a dangerously high dose on its own and the risk is increased if alcohol and other drugs are taken at the same time'

Ecstasy and MDMA come in hundreds of different shapes, colours and designs, and sometimes cost as little as £5 each (PA)

MDMA and ecstasy tablets currently in circulation are stronger than ever before, authorities in Greater Manchester have said.

The area's Drug Alert Panel issued a warning to users that the high dosage makes taking the party drug extremely dangerous.

Super-strength ecstasy caused the deaths of more than 60 people in England and Wales in 2016 alone, it said.

“MDMA pills and MDMA powder are stronger than they have ever been. This is what makes it so dangerous,” said Michael Linnell, coordinator of the Greater Manchester Drug Early Warning System.

“Even half a pill can be a dangerously high dose on its own and the risk is increased if alcohol and other drugs are taken at the same time.”

He added: “There have been numerous recent warnings about high-potency individual pills, which are thought to contain up to 300mg of MDMA.

“This is at least three times a strong dose for an adult male and more than four times that for a younger person or a woman with a smaller bodyweight.”

The pills come in hundreds of different shapes, colours and designs, and sometimes cost as little as £5 each.

The panel also advised those attending Parklife festival to take extra care, following the deaths of two people at Mutiny Festival in Portsmouth last week.

Georgia Jones, 18, and Tommy Cowan, 20, fell ill at the festival, which was subsequently cancelled.

Ms Jones’s mother pleaded with people not to take drugs, writing: “If nothing else I hope what has happened to her will deter you from taking anything ever.”

Dr Prun Bijral, a member of the panel and medical director of CGL, one of the leading drug and alcohol service providers, added: “There is no safe way of using ecstasy there will always be a risk involved in using this very dangerous drug.

“If you do take that risk don’t use alone, make sure friends are around so they can get immediate help from the emergency services if you start to feel ill.”

Last week, The Independent exclusively revealed Bestival is to introduce drug-testing facilities for the first time, which allow users to test drugs for strength and impurities without fear of arrest.

Secret Garden Party credited the testing for reducing drug-related hospital admissions by 95 per cent, while Boomtown credited it for bringing down drug-related medical incidents onsite by 25 per cent.

However, after initially indicating it was in favour of its introduction, the largest festival organiser in the UK has now turned its back on using it.