Gresnigt FMJ, Ghaem Maghami P, van Exter P, Noordhoff A, van Dijk T, van Litsenburg R, Holleman F, Kramer MHH, Nanayakkara PWB. Recreational Drug Use During the Amsterdam Dance Event: Impact on Emergency Services.
Subst Abuse 2022;
16:11782218221114965. [PMID:
36312590 PMCID:
PMC9597048 DOI:
10.1177/11782218221114965]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Recreational drug use is common at large-scale dance events such as the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) and severe drug-related complications and deaths occur. Increasing concentrations of cocaine, amphetamine and MDMA have been observed in samples from dance events. Therefore, large dance events are expected to cause an increasing amount of recreational drug related complaints (RDRC) and an increased demand on emergency medical services.
AIM
To evaluate the impact of recreational drug related complaints (RDRC) during ADE 2016, compared to regular weeks, and to evaluate the requirement for additional medical personnel.
METHODS
For this prospective, observational cohort study, patients >12 years old presenting with RDRC at first aid stations (FAS), ambulance service (AA) and ED during ADE, between October 19th and October 24th 2016 were included. From 2 EDs and AA, the RDRC 2 weeks before and after ADE were also collected.
RESULTS
An estimated 375.000 people attended ADE. The number of patients with RDRC was 459 at the FAS, 113 at AA and 81 at the ED, and increased significantly during ADE with 225% at AA and with 236% at OLVG ED. Eight patients were admitted. A higher percentage of poly-drug use among ED patients (58%) was found, compared to FAS patients (25%). Also, the proportion of tourists in ED's (51%) was higher compared to FAS (30%).
CONCLUSIONS
During ADE 2016, the number of intoxicated patients increased significantly. Eight patients were admitted to the hospital, without any deaths. The absolute number of patients stayed within normal range of emergency medical services capacity.
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