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- Title
Prevalence of reagent test-kit use and perceptions of purity among ecstasy users in an electronic dance music scene in New York City.
- Authors
Palamar, Joseph J.; Barratt, Monica J.
- Abstract
<bold>Introduction and Aims: </bold>Ecstasy users in the electronic dance music scene are at high risk for using ecstasy adulterated with new psychoactive substances and/or methamphetamine. We examined self-reported testing of ecstasy among users in this scene.<bold>Design and Methods: </bold>We surveyed individuals (aged 18-40 years) entering electronic dance music parties in New York City in 2017. Past-year ecstasy users (n = 351) were asked if they had tested their ecstasy in the past year. We estimated prevalence and correlates of having tested one's ecstasy.<bold>Results: </bold>23.1% reported having tested their ecstasy in the past year. Those with some college (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 0.49, P = 0.014) or a college degree (aPR = 0.41, P = 0.025) were less likely to test their ecstasy than those with a high school diploma or less. Using ecstasy pills (aPR = 1.89, P = 0.036) or crystals (aPR = 1.90, P = 0.006) ≥3 times in the past year was associated with increased likelihood of testing one's ecstasy, and purchasing from an unknown or untrustworthy dealer was associated with decreased likelihood (aPR = 0.63, P = 0.034) of testing one's ecstasy. Half (51.1%) of ecstasy users reported finding out or suspecting their ecstasy had contained a drug other than MDMA. Of these, 49.2% reported finding out their ecstasy contained methamphetamine or speed/amphetamine. Most ecstasy users reported that they would be less likely to use again upon learning their ecstasy contained 'bath salts' (54.8%) or methamphetamine (54.3%).<bold>Discussion and Conclusions: </bold>Drug testing appears to help ecstasy users detect adulterants and results can help inform harm reduction efforts. Less frequent users in particular may require education about adulteration and drug-testing.
- Subjects
NEW York (State); ECSTASY (Drug); DRUG abusers; ELECTRONIC dance music; METHAMPHETAMINE; HARM reduction; COMPARATIVE studies; DANCE; DIAGNOSTIC reagents &; test kits; DRUG adulteration; DRUGS of abuse; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL cooperation; MUSIC; RESEARCH; EVALUATION research
- Publication
Drug & Alcohol Review, 2019, Vol 38, Issue 1, p42
- ISSN
0959-5236
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1111/dar.12882