You might not know what “Molly” refers to, but it’s a good bet your children do.

Should you have grandchildren, they almost certainly know of Molly and its use as a recreational drug exploited too often by today’s youth.

Many young people mistakenly think the drug is “pure” MDMA with an active ingredient of Ecstasy.

According to a CNN report, users often talk about the “purity” of taking Molly, as if it’s somehow better. MDMA was originally developed as a medication to treat depression.

“But today’s Molly is most often not MDMA — in the last few years, the drug has become a toxic mixture of lab-created chemicals, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,” the CNN report stated.

The most recent case of large-scale Molly use in our region made headlines this week when Louisiana State Police arrested four Florida residents for narcotics-related charges following two traffic stops Monday on Interstate 10 in West Baton Rouge Parish.

The traffic stops yielded nearly 20 pounds of narcotics used to produce Molly with a street value of approximately $500,000.

When I contacted Trooper Jared L. Sandifer, public information officer for Troop A, about the bust, he talked about the relative surprise of the large haul.

“I know that Molly is increasing in popularity, and police officers are running into it more often,” he said. “However, this is the first seizure of this size that I have heard of in a while.”

An optimist would think maybe that is because Molly’s impact isn’t an issue in South Louisiana, but that would be wrong.

A combination of youthful ignorance and the obvious profit potential of illegal sales have made this drug an all-to-real issue for all of us.

Sandifer said the desired effect of taking Molly is reduced anxiety, an increased feeling of connection to others and heightened sensations — sight, hearing and touch.

“However, there are several psychological and physiological side effects such as anxiety, depression, fatigue and insomnia, just to name a few,” he said. “Parents need to understand the dangers of Molly. It is being made out to be a safer alternative to Ecstasy by pop culture.”

However, cheap imitations are commonly made using household chemicals, Sandifer said, bringing the purity down and making the side effects more severe.

“Users can suffer permanent damage to their brain, heart, kidneys, etc.,” he said.

The suspects picked up for transporting this substance just a few parishes over were professionals, not backyard marijuana growers. They mean business, and they want to do business locally.

In a press release this week, Louisiana State Police noted troopers would continue to provide Louisiana residents a safer community through proactive drug-related enforcement and cooperative efforts with local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Troopers plan to target local and multi-state drug trafficking, but the front-line battle against Molly and all illegal drugs is awareness.

Molly is far from a new drug, having been around for some time, but many don’t realize what it is and its appeal to younger generations.

It is certainly one more thing parents and grandparents should be aware of as the summer months continue and children find themselves with more free time.

Stephen Hemelt is general manager and editor of L’Observateur. He can be reached at 985-652-9545 or stephen.hemelt@lobservateur.com