Dust in the wind: the growing use of embalming fluid among youth in Hartford, CT

Negotiating ecstasy risk, reward, and control: a qualitative analysis of drug management patterns among ecstasy-using urban young adults

This paper is based on qualitative in-depth interviews conducted from 2008 to 2009 with 118 ethnically diverse Ecstasy users from the greater Hartford area, CT, USA. Participants were urban, primarily Black and Hispanic, aged 18 to 36, and had limited higher education compared with samples in previous Ecstasy research. Interviews focused on personal background, history of Ecstasy and other drug use, and recent sexual events. In this paper, we examine: participants' negotiation of perceived risks and benefits of Ecstasy use, behavioral strategies employed to minimize risks, and the relationship of risk-benefit analysis, motivation for use, frequency of use, and polydrug use to participants' sense of control over their Ecstasy use. We conclude with recommendations for intervention approaches and suggestions for future research.

Building Xperience: a multilevel alcohol and drug prevention intervention

"Xperience" is an innovative alcohol and drug prevention program that has adopted a multilevel, community-based strategy to promote drug-and-alcohol free social activities, venues and norms among urban youth ages 14-20. The intervention aims to strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors for alcohol and other substance use among high school age youth by addressing multiple factors at the individual, peer, community and city level. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the process of building the different levels of this intervention during the 3-year formative phase. We will explain: (1) Why we chose to adopt a multilevel and participatory strategy, (2) Formative research leading to the intervention model, (3) The theoretical framework underlying the methodology, (4) Pilot intervention development (Years One and Two), (5) Current program methods and outcome goals, and lastly, (6) Some of the lessons learned, goals achieved, and plans for the future. This descriptive account of building a multilevel intervention aims to serve as a useful guide for others wishing to develop similar approaches, and for theorizing about some of the common challenges involved in this process.

Illy: clinical and public health implications of a street drug

We conducted a prospective, observational study of patients presenting to an emergency department with suspected use of a street drug known as "illy" to identify the active ingredient in "illy" and describe the clinical presentation and outcomes associated with its use. Vital signs, mental status, restraint use, and urine toxicology (UT) results were recorded. Patients were interviewed about drug use patterns and co-ingestants. Fifty-nine patients (89.9% males) with a mean age of 22 years (SD +/- 4.37) were enrolled over a 34-month period. UT was obtained in 61% of patients; of these 91.7% tested positive for phencyclidine (PCP). Seventy-eight percent of patients were discharged, (15.3%) required psychiatric evaluation; 3 were admitted, one died in the ED. Patients reported concurrent drug use (54%) and at-risk drinking (50%). PCP is likely the active component of "illy". Most patients require observation and supportive care only, however major complications including death may occur.