I worked in a college neuro research lab in 1991 that had received samples of MPTP for research purposes. The project had ended before my time, but the drug was a frequent topic of conversation. We were studying various dopaminergic conditions using leeches. I still have a copy of a book documenting the various research "MPTP: A Neurotoxin Producing a Parkinsonian-like Response".

One detail of the story that I still remember: the dealers of the MPTP heroin realized they had a bad batch and cut the price to get rid of it.