Prevent suicides with MDMA-assisted therapy

Rick Stewart | Candidate for Governor

September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, causing me to pause and reconsider what we can do in Iowa to reduce our total of 536 Iowa suicides in 2020, with 41 of those right here in Linn County.

I have discovered one of the answers is clear — allow MDMA assisted therapy. MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), according to the US Government, 'is chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens, producing feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception.'

What do you think happens when people experience increased energy, pleasure, and emotional warmth? That's right, they are less likely to commit suicide. This is particularly true for veterans experiencing PTSD, in fact recent studies have shown MDMA to be especially effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eliminating it in 65 percent of the tested population. .

Unfortunately, MDMA assisted therapy still is illegal in the United States. The fear is that it will be used for non-therapeutic purposes. Well guess what — MDMA is already used for non-therapeutic purposes, and has been for many years. That's why it is known as a 'party drug', with a street name of Ecstasy.

My question is this — should we refuse to provide this very effective treatment to Iowa veterans, just because some Iowans use it illegally to party? I think not.

There are many drugs which are entirely legal to use, but only with a prescription. Opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine are three examples. We allow legal use, but not illegal use. Why should MDMA be treated any differently? I have failed to find a rational argument to support this discrimination, and in fact it seems MDMA is substantially safer than either opioids, cocaine or methamphetamine.

That's why I have asked Gov. Kim Reynolds to call a special session of the Iowa Legislature, and why I have asked all 150 members of the Iowa Legislature to support this request. In probably only an hour's work, possibly virtually, Iowa can provide our veterans with the opportunity to receive the best treatment possible for their PTSD.

Some people might say — what's the rush, the FDA will approve MDMA for therapy sometime in the next two years anyway (it is already in Phase 3 trials). My answer is this — 71 Iowa veterans committed suicide in 2019, the last year for which data is available. That's more than one a week. MDMA assisted therapy could save up to 46 of those lives. Can we in good conscience stand by, while 46 veterans die?

Iowans are well known for our practical solutions to complex problems. Now is the time to show our veterans we can make quick decisions, too, when lives are in danger.

Rick Stewart of Cedar Rapids is the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Iowa.