Police are concerned a dangerous drug nicknamed Dr Death, which looks like ecstasy but has far more severe side-effects, is being distributed in Perth.
Police are issuing a strong warning about para-methoxymethamphetemine (PMMA) after a 25-year-old man was found dead at his home in Innaloo, in Perth's north, on January 1 after attending a rave party on New Year's Eve.
The man died from a suspected drug overdose and among the drugs found in his system was PMMA, police said.
Chemistry Centre WA senior chemist Bianca Stevens said PMMA sometimes produced similar effects to ecstasy but took longer to affect the drug-user, which could encourage the user to take larger quantities to gain an effect.
Ms Stevens said the drug increased the risk of the drug-user's body over-heating, causing seizures and the body organs could shut down, resulting in death.
"We don't know what the pills look like," she said.
Coronial Inquiries Detective Senior Sergeant Neville Beard said the only way to prevent death was to not consume any drugs.
"Drugs are dangerous. They will kill you, so don't take them," he said.
Det Snr Sgt Beard said the man who died on New Year's Day, whose name has not been released, may have consumed the drug thinking it was ecstasy.
He said toxicology results were yet to determine if PMMA killed the man but said it was among the drugs found in his system.
Serious and Organised Crime Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver said users were playing Russian roulette with their lives when they took illicit drugs.
"This is a sad waste of life," he said.
Det Supt Carver said despite a shortage of key ingredients needed to make ecstasy, drug-makers and dealers were using substitute ingredients and selling them as ecstasy.
"They will pass anything off to make a buck," he said.
Anyone who may have consumed a drug with unusual side-effects or has any relevant information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.