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Hughes LRJ, Allen C, Devilly GJ. Preloading with drugs before entry to the nighttime entertainment district: presentation, intoxication rates, and effects of police presence during assessment. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:62. [PMID: 37131203 PMCID: PMC10152730 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00749-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Past research has either focused on alcohol or drug preloading before a night out, but not on the interaction between them. With increased risks of harm through interaction effects, we wished to build upon previous research in this area. We sought to determine who drug preloads, why do people engage in this practice, what drug/s are people using, and how inebriated they are as they enter the NED. Additionally, we examined what impact varying levels of police presence has on the collections of sensitive data in this context. METHODS We captured estimates of drug and alcohol preloading from 4723 people entering nighttime entertainment districts (NEDs) in Queensland, Australia. Data collection occurred under three varying conditions of police presence (i.e., no police present, police present but not engaging with participants, and police engaging with participants). RESULTS People who admitted to preloading drugs were found to be younger in age than non-drug admitters, more likely to be male than female, use one type of drug (mostly stimulants) rather than multiple (if we exclude alcohol), significantly more intoxicated upon arrival, and more subjectively affected from their use of alcohol and drugs as Breath Approximated Alcohol Concertation levels increased. People were more likely to admit having used drugs in the absence of police, but this had only a small effect. CONCLUSIONS People who drug preload are a vulnerable subset of the youth population that is susceptible to experiencing harms in this context. As they drink more alcohol, they experience higher affects than those who do not report to also take drugs. Police engagement through service rather than force may mitigate some risks. Further enquiry is needed to better understand those who engage in this practice and to have quick, cheap, objective tests of what drugs these people are using.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee R J Hughes
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD, 4122, Australia
| | - Corey Allen
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Mt Gravatt, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Police Service Academy, Queensland Police Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Grant J Devilly
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD, 4122, Australia.
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Mt Gravatt, QLD, Australia.
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Feltmann K, Elgán TH, Strandberg AK, Kvillemo P, Jayaram-Lindström N, Grabski M, Waldron J, Freeman T, Curran HV, Gripenberg J. Illicit Drug Use and Associated Problems in the Nightlife Scene: A Potential Setting for Prevention. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:4789. [PMID: 33946164 PMCID: PMC8125188 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Illicit drug use is prevalent in the nightlife scene, especially at electronic dance music (EDM) events. The aim of the present study was to investigate illicit drug use patterns and consequences of drug use among frequent visitors of EDM events. Young adults (18-34 years old) who had visited at least six EDM events in Sweden during the past year participated in a web-based survey on drug use patterns and its consequences. Fifty-nine percent of participants had used illicit drugs during the past year, most often cannabis followed by ecstasy, cocaine, and amphetamine. Nightlife venues were identified as the main setting for the use of central stimulants, while cannabis was mostly used at home. Frequent alcohol and tobacco use was associated with illicit drug use. The most prevalent negative consequences of drug use were related to mental health, such as impairments in mood, sleep, and memory problems, but physical manifestations were also reported, such as palpitations and collapsing. These findings confirm that drug use is prevalent and associated with negative health effects among EDM nightlife attendees. The nightlife scene is a setting with promising potential to reach a high-risk target group with illicit drug use prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Feltmann
- STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.H.E.); (A.K.S.); (P.K.); (J.G.)
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Norra Stationsgatan 69, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Tobias H. Elgán
- STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.H.E.); (A.K.S.); (P.K.); (J.G.)
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Norra Stationsgatan 69, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Anna K. Strandberg
- STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.H.E.); (A.K.S.); (P.K.); (J.G.)
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Norra Stationsgatan 69, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Pia Kvillemo
- STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.H.E.); (A.K.S.); (P.K.); (J.G.)
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Norra Stationsgatan 69, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Nitya Jayaram-Lindström
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Norra Stationsgatan 69, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Meryem Grabski
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK; (M.G.); (J.W.); (T.F.); (H.V.C.)
| | - Jon Waldron
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK; (M.G.); (J.W.); (T.F.); (H.V.C.)
| | - Tom Freeman
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK; (M.G.); (J.W.); (T.F.); (H.V.C.)
- Addiction and Mental Health Group (AIM), Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Helen Valerie Curran
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK; (M.G.); (J.W.); (T.F.); (H.V.C.)
| | - Johanna Gripenberg
- STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden; (T.H.E.); (A.K.S.); (P.K.); (J.G.)
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Norra Stationsgatan 69, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
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Strandberg AK, Elgán TH, Feltmann K, Jayaram Lindström N, Gripenberg J. Illicit Drugs in the Nightlife Setting: Changes in Employee Perceptions and Drug Use over a Fifteen-Year Period. Subst Use Misuse 2020; 55:2116-2128. [PMID: 32811266 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2020.1793365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Illicit drug use is common in nightlife settings and associated with various public health-related problems, making this an important arena for prevention. Purpose/objectives: To assess perceived prevalence of illicit drug use in the Stockholm nightlife setting, use of and attitudes toward illicit drugs among employees at licensed premises. Also, to make comparisons with two identical measurements from 2001 and 2007/08, and to explore potential differences related to own drug use, type of licensed premise, age or gender. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted at three time-points: 2001, 2007/08, and 2016/17, comprising employees at licensed premises in Stockholm participating in STAD's Responsible Beverage Service training program. A total of 665 persons (mean age 28 years, 53% women) were included in the 2016/2017 measurement. Results: A majority of the respondents reported having observed patrons intoxicated by illicit drugs in the last six months, and agreed that patrons intoxicated by illicit drugs should be asked to leave licensed premises. The belief that one had observed patrons intoxicated by illicit drugs was more common among respondents who had themselves been using illicit drugs during the last year, and also among employees at nightclubs. Furthermore, comparisons with previous time-points showed a significant increase in the proportion of employees using illicit drugs. Almost half of the respondents in the youngest age group (18-24 years) reported illicit drug use during the last year. Conclusions/importance: Observation and use of illicit drugs are common among employees in the Stockholm nightlife setting and has increased significantly during the past decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Strandberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, SE, Sweden
| | - Tobias H Elgán
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, SE, Sweden
| | - Kristin Feltmann
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, SE, Sweden
| | - Nitya Jayaram Lindström
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, SE, Sweden
| | - Johanna Gripenberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, STAD, Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, SE, Sweden
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