AUSTIN, Texas -- Early Saturday, three people were taken to the hospital, where one ultimately died, for overdosing on the drug known as Molly, MDMA, or Ecstasy.
- 3 people hospitalized
- 1 person died
- Unknown if drugs were laced with toxic substance
Austin Police are saying it could be the result of a lethal batch of drugs being sold in Austin.
“Buying drugs off the street from people you don't know with zero understanding of what the origins of the substances are that you're taking is a gamble. It's literally rolling the dice,” said Dr. Carlos Tirado, addiction psychiatrist.
Police haven’t released any information about where the victims were picked up, or whether the drugs they had taken were laced with anything toxic. But experts say it’s nearly impossible to know exactly what you’re taking when you get illicit drugs from the black market.
“You know, there's no quality control in terms of the illicit market,” said Lead Medic Daniel Sledge, of the Williamson County Mobile Outreach Team.
Authorities have not released a detailed cause of death for the victim who died. They've only confirmed that the three overdose victims had taken Molly. Although MDMA overdoses are not as common as opioid overdoses, experts say it is still possible.
The Austin Police Department said that it is expected to take approximately 90 days for lab tests to determine the makeup of the drugs that caused the overdoses.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Narcotics Tip Line at 512-974-8600.