Estimating the Prevalence of Ecstasy use among Club Rave Attendees

The “rave” phenomenon has been a major element in the resurgence of psychedelic drug use in Western society. Purportedly central to raves is the use of “club drugs” such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or “Ecstasy”). To date, however, few studies have examined the prevalence of Ecstasy use and dependence symptoms among rave attendees in the United States. In the current study, self-report drug use information and oral fluid (OF) specimens were collected from a sample of adult “club rave” attendees along the Baltimore-Washington corridor between September and November 2002. Data collection was scheduled between 12 midnight and 5 a.m. Participation rates were high. Of the 192 rave attendees approached, 80% completed the interview. Of those who completed the interview, 82% provided an OF specimen. Twenty-four percent of the respondents with usable specimens (N=103) reported using Ecstasy within the two days preceding the interview, while 30% tested positive for MDMA by OF analysis. Sixteen percent responded affirmatively to at least one of the three dependence symptoms. Self-reported 12-month Ecstasy users were more likely than non-users to be white, and recent users were more likely to have used most other drugs of abuse during the 12 months preceding the interview.

An exploration of recent club drug use among rave attendees

Raves are characterized by large numbers of youth dancing for long periods of time and by the use of "club drugs," such as 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy"). While a small body of research has explored the use of ecstasy and other club drugs (EOCD) among club rave attendees in the United States, we are aware of no studies that have investigated the relationship between EOCD use and high-risk sexual behaviors among members of this population. We explored the association between EOCD use and high-risk sexual behaviors among a sample of 283 club rave attendees interviewed during the spring and summer of 2005. Data were collected at 13 rave events in two different clubs along the Baltimore-Washington corridor between March 17 and September 3, 2005. Potential respondents were conveniently sampled and approached between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. as they exited the clubs. Only 12% reported using ecstasy within the two days preceding the interview, findings considerably lower than our earlier studies of club rave attendees. Moreover, no significant relationship was discerned between recent MDMA use and high-risk sexual behavior. These findings suggest that the use of EOCD among rave attendees has diminished and that the allocation of significant resources to combat their proliferation, among this and other populations at risk for EOCD use, may be premature.

Estimating the Prevalence of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Dependence among New Orleans Arrestees

The Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program collects self-report drug use data and urine specimens from adult arrestees across the United States. Despite high levels of drug use among arrestees, few studies have examined need for alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment within this population. To address this limitation, a secondary analysis was undertaken with a sample of 940 New Orleans arrestees surveyed in 2001. Fifty-nine percent of the sample was diagnosed as needing AOD treatment. Because "need for treatment" was operationalized as a diagnosis of abuse or dependence, the current results should be viewed as liberal estimates of treatment need. Drug treatment implications for criminal populations are discussed.

Toward an ecstasy and other club drug (EOCD) prevention intervention for rave attendees

A growing body of recent research has identified that "rave" attendees are at high risk for the use of "club drugs," such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy"). Rave attendees, however, comprise only one of several club-going populations. In the current study, we explore the prevalence of ecstasy and other club drug (EOCD) use among a sample of club attendees in Washington, DC. Data were collected from adult, primarily homosexual, club attendees during the summer of 2003. Data collection was scheduled between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. Participation rates were high. Of the 211 club attendees approached, 88% (n = 186) completed the interview. Drug use prevalence rates were low. With the exception of alcohol and marijuana, 2-day self-reports were less than 1% for each drug. These findings, amalgamated with results from other EOCD-related studies involving several distinct populations, offer considerable insight into the state of ecstasy in American society. Based on a meta-analysis of this literature, we offer a community-level prevention intervention for the population at highest risk for EOCD use-rave attendees.

Exploring the prevalence and correlates of methamphetamine use: findings from Sacramento's ADAM program

Anecdotal reports have suggested that the use and abuse of methamphetamine is increasing in the United States. To date, however, few scholarly works have explored the prevalence and correlates of methamphetamine use in the United States. To address this limitation, a secondary analysis was undertaken with data collected through the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) Program. An examination of methamphetamine-positive rates among ADAM arrestees interviewed between 1991 and 2001 identified that its use is concentrated within the Western part of the United States. Supplementary analyses of Sacramento arrestees indicated that 71% were diagnosed as needing some form of alcohol or other drug treatment. Compared to those arrestees who were detected methamphetamine-negative, methamphetamine-positive arrestees in Sacramento were three times as likely to be white and to have been diagnosed in need of drug treatment. Implications for drug control policy are discussed.

Measuring alcohol and drug dependence with New York City ADAM data

The Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) Program collects self-report survey information and urine specimens from adult arrestees in 35 cities nationwide. In 2000, a new survey instrument was fielded that includes questions about alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse and dependence. Despite high levels of drug use among national arrestee populations, no studies have examined need for AOD treatment among ADAM arrestees. To address this limitation, a secondary analysis was undertaken with New York City ADAM data collected in 2000. Thirty-seven percent of the arrestees were diagnosed in need of drug treatment, while 19% were diagnosed in need of alcohol treatment. Compared to those arrestees who were diagnosed as not needing AOD treatment, arrestees who met the criteria for ADAM abuse/dependence were more likely to be male, older, and to have tested positive by urinalysis for at least one illicit drug. Because "need for treatment" was operationalized as a diagnosis of abuse or dependence, the current results should be viewed as liberal estimates of treatment need. Implications for the delivery of drug treatment to criminal populations are discussed.