PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- There will be a "heavy presence" of police officers at Friday's Barstool Blackout Tour "Foam Party" at the Dunkin' Donuts Center due to concerns over use of the drug Molly, Police Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr. announced Wednesday.
The drug has been implicated in recent overdoses.
Police officers and Dunkin' Donuts Center security will be monitoring the event itself as well as areas surrounding The Dunk, Clements said in a news release. Any impaired people will be removed from the venue by police. All individuals and bags will be searched prior to entry.
Molly, an illegal "club drug", has become increasingly popular at events such as the Barstool Blackout Tour, the Providence Police Department and Dunkin' Donuts Center said in a joint public service announcement.
Citing information from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the announcement noted that Molly is the powder or crystal form of MDMA or 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a chemical drug most commonly known for its use in the pressed pill Ecstasy. Unlike Ecstasy, which has a reputation for being laced with everything from caffeine to methamphetamine, Molly, a name shortened from "molecule" is thought of as "pure" MDMA. The DEA labels it as a schedule 1 controlled substance, considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted use in medical treatment, which means it is illegal.
Molly is severely dangerous at events such as concerts because MDMA causes severe dehydration and spike in body temperature. Alcohol increases these effects.
The police and Dunk officials warn concertgoers not to accept drinks from people they don't know. They also advise concertgoers against leaving their drinks unattended.
Molly can cause heart problems, brain damage, stroke, and possibly death.