Patterns of Simultaneous Polysubstance Use in Canadian Rave Attendees

The aim of this study was to examine rave-related polydrug drug use and to determine if patterns of substance use were associated with previous rave attendance. One hundred and eighty-six rave attendees (50% female) representing a wide range of ages (16 to 47 years; mean = 23.5, sd = 5.15) and levels of rave attendance experience (1 to 400 events) completed structured interviews in Montreal, Canada between November 2002 and September 2003 about their rave attendance patterns and their use of various licit and illicit substances at the most recently attended event. On average, participants reported using 2.5 different psychoactive substances (excluding tobacco) at the most recent event attended. Cannabis, alcohol, MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, and GHB were the most frequently reported substances, and details about their orders of administration, dosages, and patterns of co-administration are presented and discussed. The total lifetime number of raves attended by participants varied considerably (mean = 48.6; sd = 69.7; median = 25), and there was a positive correlation between the number events attended and number of substances used at the most recent event attended (p < 0.001). Analyses revealed that individuals reporting the use of ketamine, GHB, and/or cocaine at the most recent event had attended significantly more events than nonusers even when controlling for various demographic variables. A subset of respondents (n = 27) completed a second interview to determine the reliability of their responses. Results indicated that respondents could reliably recall details about which drugs were used, the total doses administered, as well as order of drug administration.     

Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in Canadian rave attendees

The aim of this study was to examine rave-related polydrug drug use and to determine if patterns of substance use were associated with previous rave attendance. One hundred and eighty-six rave attendees (50% female) representing a wide range of ages (16 to 47 years; mean=23.5, sd=5.15) and levels of rave attendance experience (1 to 400 events) completed structured interviews in Montreal, Canada between November 2002 and September 2003 about their rave attendance patterns and their use of various licit and illicit substances at the most recently attended event. On average, participants reported using 2.5 different psychoactive substances (excluding tobacco) at the most recent event attended. Cannabis, alcohol, MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, and GHB were the most frequently reported substances, and details about their orders of administration, dosages, and patterns of co-administration are presented and discussed. The total lifetime number of raves attended by participants varied considerably (mean=48.6; sd=69.7; median=25), and there was a positive correlation between the number events attended and number of substances used at the most recent event attended (p<0.001). Analyses revealed that individuals reporting the use of ketamine, GHB, and/or cocaine at the most recent event had attended significantly more events than nonusers even when controlling for various demographic variables. A subset of respondents (n=27) completed a second interview to determine the reliability of their responses. Results indicated that respondents could reliably recall details about which drugs were used, the total doses administered, as well as order of drug administration.     

GENDER, SEXUALITY, AND ETHNICITY AS FACTORS OF CLUB DRUG USE AMONG ASIAN AMERICANS

This article examines the relationship between substance use and gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and nativity among 250 Asian American youths involved in the dance club/rave scene. We find distinct patterns of drug use differing by country of origin and ethnicity. However, contrary to some literature we do not find significant differences corresponding to immigration status, or number of years in the U.S. The most significant differences between subgroups are related to gender and sexuality: male respondents consume more drugs, more frequently than female respondents, and non-heterosexual respondents consume more than heterosexual respondents, with differing patterns for men's and women's sexual subgroups. There were also significant gender and sexuality differences with respect to the contexts in which respondents consume drugs, with the most significant differences being between heterosexual and non-heterosexual men. As we discuss, these findings illustrate the need for further investigation of drug use patterns of gender and sexuality within Asian American communities.     

Cannabis users in the general Canadian population

In a national survey conducted in 1994, 29.3% of all respondents reported that they had used cannabis at least once, 7.3% reported using at least once during the year of the survey, and 2.0% reported using cannabis at least once a week during the year of survey. Nonusers and those with different patterns of cannabis use could be distinguished by age; gender; the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and involvement with drug users. Frequent cannabis use at the time of the survey was associated with "heavy" drinking and drinking problems, drinking and driving, driving within 2 hours of using cannabis, and the use of other drugs, especially among young males. The association between regular cannabis use, "heavy" drinking, and other risk behaviors poses challenges to prevention and harm-reduction initiatives.     

Patterns and perceptions of ecstasy use among young, low-income women

A significant number of young, low-income women experiment with ecstasy outside of club or rave settings. The current study examined patterns and risk factors of ecstasy use among this group of women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 696 women aged 18 to 31 who sought gynecological care from two university clinics in southeast Texas between December 1, 2001, and May 30, 2003. Fifteen percent of participants reported ever using ecstasy. Of those, over 90% used it at a friend's home. Compared with women who used only marijuana or other illicit drugs, ecstasy users were more likely to be white, use a larger number of other drugs, be willing to use drugs in the future, and have more friends who used drugs. Fewer ecstasy users strongly disapproved of adult drug use than users of other illicit drugs. Future interventional efforts should target young, low-income women to prevent future experimentation with illicit drugs.     

Levels of Drug Use in a Sample of Scottish Independent Secondary School Pupils

This short report quantifies the lifetime prevalence of substance use among a sample of 557 school pupils drawn from the independent school sector in Scotland. The mean age of these respondents was 14.4 years (range 11-18). A majority of the sample was female. Almost two-thirds (62.9%) of the sample reported lifetime use of tobacco. More than half (57.3%) of these smokers had done so within the past 28 days. Alcohol had been consumed by most of the sample, with a majority (61.4%) reporting having experienced at least one episode of drunkenness. As with smoking, more than half of respondents (61.2%) who had ever experienced drunkenness had done so during the previous month. More than one-quarter (26.0%) reported having used an illegal drug. In line with other studies, the drug most likely to be used was cannabis. Use of any other drugs was comparatively low (11.0%). By secondary school year five (ages 16-17) a majority (56.6%) of these respondents had tried an illegal drug. These data indicate that a high level of substance use among school pupils is not a phenomenon restricted to comprehensive schools.     

Recreational drug use: patterns from a South Wales self-report survey

This study aimed to examine patterns of illicit recreational drug use, alcohol consumption, and smoking in a community-based population sample. A postal questionnaire survey was conducted of people who were selected at random from the Electoral registers of Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil. Twelve percent of respondents reported illicit recreational drug use in the last year, and 7% in the last month. Among respondents aged under 25 years, 34% (39% of males and 31% of females) had used illicit drugs in the last year, and 19% (23% of males and 17% of females) in the last month. Twenty-one percent of respondents smoked (20% of males and 22% of females). Twenty-seven percent of respondents reported drinking more alcohol than currently recommended sensible limits (36% of males and 21% of females). Among respondents aged under 25 years, 53% of men and 38% of women drank over these limits. Illicit drug use was associated with heavy alcohol consumption and, in particular, with smoking. Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption combined was most strongly associated with illicit drug use. Rates of illicit recreational drug use were higher than have previously been reported for Wales. Illicit drug use and smoking varied with age, sex, work status and geographical location, whereas heavy alcohol consumption varied with age, sex and work status, but not geographical location. Both smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with illicit drug use, with smokers who were also heavy drinkers being those most likely to report illicit drug use.     

Concurrent and simultaneous drug and alcohol use: results of the 2000 National Alcohol Survey

This study estimates the prevalence, assesses predictors and evaluates factors associated with concurrent and simultaneous use of drugs and alcohol in the United States population. Using data from the 2000 National Alcohol Survey (n=7612), respondents were asked if they used specific drugs in the last 12 months. Current drinkers who reported using each type of drug were asked if they used alcohol and the drug at the same time. Approximately 10% reported using marijuana in the last 12 months (concurrent use); 7% reported drinking alcohol and using marijuana at the same time (simultaneous use). Approximately 5% of current drinkers reported using drugs other than marijuana in the last 12 months; 1.7% reported drinking alcohol and using drugs other than marijuana at the same time. Being younger, having less than a high school education, not having a regular partner and having heavier drinking patterns were associated with using alcohol and marijuana simultaneously. Simultaneous use of marijuana and alcohol as well as other drugs and alcohol were significantly related to social consequences, alcohol dependence, and depression. These results mirror clinical populations in which increasingly younger clients report use of alcohol and drugs and need treatment for both.     

Drug Use and Sources of Drug Information in a 12-16-year-old School Sample

A sample of 532 12-16-year-old school attendees self-completed a questionnaire about drug use, sources of drug information and attitudes to drugs. Some drugs were highly prevalent, particularly cannabis, hallucinogens (including ecstasy) and amphetamines, but injectable drugs were used by few and injected by only seven respondents. Cocaine use continues to be rare in Scotland. Use increased with age and males tended to use more than females. Low parental control was strongly related to exposure to drugs. Most respondents had received at least one talk about drugs, about half felt that they knew a lot about them and over a third felt that they had learned a lot from TV, parents, police, older friends, same age friends, teachers and newspapers. Those who had been more exposed to drugs tended to rely less on teachers and the police for information and more on older friends and siblings. Parents, siblings, medical and media sources were unrelated to drug exposure. Self-rated drug knowledge and attitudes were more related to exposure to drugs than to sources of drug information, suggesting that attitudes are largely acquired experientially. Results are discussed with respect to the content and delivery of drugs education.     

High rates of club drug use and risky sexual practices among Hispanic men who have sex with men in Miami, Florida

This study measured use of club drugs among 262 Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited at community venues in Miami-Dade County, Florida in 2001. More than 50% of men used club drugs, and 36% used them in the last 3 months. Lifetime and 3-month rates were: ecstasy (36% and 20%), cocaine (34% and 12%), amyl nitrates (28% and 9%), and crystal methamphetamine (20% and 15%). Thirty-six percent had used two or more drugs (polydrug use) in their lifetime and 20% reported polydrug use in the last 3 months. Club drug users had significantly more sex partners in the last 12 months than nonclub drug users. High rates (35%) of unprotected anal sex in the last 3 months were reported by both groups. Men who reported polydrug use in the last 3 months were significantly more likely than men who used a single club drug to have had sex under the influence of club drugs (83% vs. 57%; X2=7.4, p=0.006). At the multivariate level, a significant association between preference for use of English and lifetime club drug use emerged. Effective interventions to reduce club drug use and risky sex for Hispanic MSM are needed.     

High Rates of Club Drug Use and Risky Sexual Practices Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men in Miami,Florida

This study measured use of club drugs among 262 Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited at community venues in Miami-Dade County, Florida in 2001. More than 50% of men used club drugs, and 36% used them in the last 3 months. Lifetime and 3-month rates were: ecstasy (36% and 20%), cocaine (34% and 12%), amyl nitrates (28% and 9%), and crystal methamphetamine (20% and 15%). Thirty-six percent had used two or more drugs (polydrug use) in their lifetime and 20% reported polydrug use in the last 3 months. Club drug users had significantly more sex partners in the last 12 months than nonclub drug users. High rates (35%) of unprotected anal sex in the last 3 months were reported by both groups. Men who reported polydrug use in the last 3 months were significantly more likely than men who used a single club drug to have had sex under the influence of club drugs (83% vs. 57%; X₂ = 7.4, p = 0.006). At the multivariate level, a significant association between preference for use of English and lifetime club drug use emerged. Effective interventions to reduce club drug use and risky sex for Hispanic MSM are needed.     

Young people's awareness of illicit drug use in the family

A sample of Scottish schoolchildren aged 14–15 (N = 1240) were asked a series of questions regarding their knowledge and experience of illicit drugs. They were asked to report on personal lifetime drug use and whether they knew of any family member who had ever used drugs. More than four in ten respondents admitted to having used an illegal drug, with a similar number admitting to awareness of drug use by another family member. There was a strong statistical relationship between respondents’ own use and drug use by all types of family members. However, although respondents who reported using drugs themselves were more likely to nominate other drug users in their family, only a small minority of respondents stated that a family member initiated them into drug use and few stated that they were aware of any problematic use. Although prior drug use by family members may not directly lead to use by young people, these data indicate that illegal drug use tends to cluster within families.     

Prevalence of drug use prior to detention among residents of youth detention centres in Queensland

Research into juvenile delinquency has established a strong connection between delinquent behaviour and drug usage. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a number of young people coming into detention in Queensland are suffering physical, behavioural and emotional consequences of their drug use prior to detention. Between December 1995 and January 1996, a total of 118 young people in detention were surveyed regarding their drug use behaviour prior to detention. This represented 90% of the average total population in detention. The average age of the sample was 15.6 years; 90% were males. Over 90% of the population had used (or at least tried) pain relievers, other medicines, cannabis, alcohol and tobacco. The use of the so called 'hard drugs' was high, with 47% having tried amphetamines, 35% admitting to having tried heroin, and 64% having used hallucinogens at least once. Data regarding harm-minimization practices revealed that 42% had injected drugs and of these half had shared a needle at least once, while around 90% are sexually active and of these only about 20% always use a condom.     

'Rushing behind the wheel': Investigating the prevalence of 'drug driving' among club and rave patrons in Melbourne, Australia

The paper reports the findings of survey research recently completed in Melbourne, Australia, among a sample of 455 club and rave festival patrons. This research aims to provide a clearer account of the prevalence of drug driving within such settings in Melbourne, as well as identifying relevant 'predictors' of this drug driving. Just under half of the sample (48%) indicated that they had driven a motor vehicle within four hours of consuming an illicit substance at least once in the past year; 22% of respondents reported driving while 'knowingly intoxicated' in the previous year. Fifteen percent reported such behaviour 'several times' or more in this time. Relatively permissive attitudes towards drug driving, coupled with higher than average prevalence of drug driving in one's peer group, were found to be significant predictors of drug driving. So too was the reported frequency of the use of cannabis and ecstasy, and the propensity to use these substances in 'rave' and 'party' settings. Given the levels of drug driving revealed in this study, the paper closes with a series of recommendations regarding the design and delivery of more effective anti-drug-driving strategies within rave and club settings.     

From "Candy Kids" to "Chemi-Kids": a typology of young adults who attend raves in the midwestern United States

Although young people attending raves have been most visibly associated with the use of ecstasy and other "club drugs" in the United States, there is reason to believe that they are not a homogenous group in terms of their drug use practices. The purpose of this article is to begin developing a typology of young adult ecstasy users involved in the rave subculture--known as Ravers or Party Kids. The study is based on focus groups and qualitative interviews conducted between November 2001 and September 2003 with 36 current and former ecstasy users, aged 19-31, in central Ohio, as well as participant observation conducted in raves, clubs, and bars where "club drugs" are often used. Findings suggest the existence of five main subgroups in attendance at raves--Chemi-Kids, Candy Kids, non-affiliated Party Kids, Junglists, and Old School Ravers. These groups differ in regard to musical taste, philosophy, style of clothing worn, amount of time in the rave subculture, and most importantly, patterns of drug use. For example, while the use of ecstasy appears most common among Candy Kids, Junglists tend to be more involved with the use of ketamine and methamphetamine. The use of alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogens is also widespread in the rave subculture. The typology can aid in the development of communication strategies necessary for successful prevention activities among some categories of ecstasy users.     

Neuropsychiatric problems in 2,500 long-term young travelers to the tropics

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and features of travel associated neuropsychiatric problems (NPP) and their relation to previous psychological consultations, antimalarials and recreational drug use have not been adequately studied. METHODS: A two-phase postal and telephone survey has been conducted among 2,500 young travelers to tropical countries. We measured the rate and duration of NPP, characterized their features, and their association with previous psychological profiles, itinerary, type of travel, consumption of recreational drugs, and malaria prophylaxis. RESULTS: First phase: Out of 1,340 respondents, 151 (11.3%) indicated that they had NPP during travel, in contrast with 2.3% who needed psychological consultation before travel (p<.001). Second phase: 117 of 151 responded to the study questionnaire. The mean age of the respondents was 24.4 years, 54.7% were female, and the mean stay abroad was 5.3 months. The most common NPP were sleeping disturbances (52.1%), fatigue (48.7%) and dizziness (39.3%). Thirty-three travelers (2.5%) had severe symptoms, and 16 (1.2%) had symptoms lasting more than 2 months. Seven travelers had pure or mixed depressive symptoms. Consumption of recreational drugs was admitted by 22.2%. Mefloquine was used significantly more often by those who suffered NPP, than by the entire cohort (98.2% vs. 70.7%; p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term travel to the tropics was associated, in this cohort, with a considerable rate of neuropsychiatric symptoms. The majority of the responding travelers were females, used mefloquine as prophylaxis, and at least one fifth used recreational drugs.     

Revealing Drug Use to Prenatal Providers: Who Tells or Who Is Asked?

SUMMARY

Objective: Health risks associated with prenatal drug use can be effectively reduced through targeted medical and counseling services. However, the delivery of these services depends on the providers knowing which women are using drugs. The purpose of this retrospective study is to determine factors associated with substance using women revealing their drug use to their prenatal providers.

Methods: The study subjects were injection drug users (IDUs) or crack users, recruited in Portland, OR., from 3/92 to 12/95, as part of a National Institute on Drug Abuse-sponsored HIV risk reduction project. Women were eligible if during their last pregnancy they: (1) used cocaine, methamphetamines, or heroin; (2) had at least one prenatal visit; and (3) did not have an induced abortion. Of the 97 women meeting these criteria, the mean age at their last pregnancy was 28 years (range 19–42); 45% were White and 44% were African American; 32% had less than a high school education; and 50% had their last pregnancy between 1990–95.

Results: Only 52% of the respondents reported telling their prenatal providers of their drug use. Variables independently associated with revealing of prenatal drug use were: African American race (p < .01); less than a high-school education (p < .05); and older age at last pregnancy (p < .05).

Conclusions: Prenatal providers are not identifying a large portion of their drug using clients. Furthermore, White or more educated women who do not fit the stereotype of a drug user are even less likely to be identified. By asking all pregnant clients about drug use, whether they look the “type” or not, many more drug using women and their newborns can benefit from needed perinatal services.