Do consumers of ecstasy-type pills take preventative measures to avoid bad effects from ecstasy-type...
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Transcript of Do consumers of ecstasy-type pills take preventative measures to avoid bad effects from ecstasy-type...
Do consumers of ecstasy-type pills take preventative measures to avoid bad
effects from ecstasy-type pills?
Dr Fairlie McIlwraithAssociate Professor Rosa Alati
Acknowledgements
National Drug and Alcohol Research CentreUniversity of New South Wales
Ecstasy and related Drug Reporting System– survey participants and key experts– research teams from each jurisdiction
Precautionary strategiesin 2012
Previous research findings
• Regular ecstasy users generally had a perception of risk, reasonably well informed, using harm reduction strategies
• Normalisation of ecstasy use• Pleasure a compelling reason for use• Mostly taken in a social environment. Friends
may provide a sense of security• Group decision making
Previous research findings
• Ecstasy the second most commonly used illicit drug in Australia
• Highest use in 20-29 age group, with recent use by 1 in 10
• Decrease from 2007
2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey
Ecstasy and related drug reporting system
National monitoring system of people who regularly use ecstasy • Annual survey in all states and territories• Key expert interviews• Existing data
Method
A national sample of 606 people who regularly use ecstasy recruited through purposive sampling for confidential, face-to-face interviews of approximately one hour.
Criteria for participation were being at least 16 years old, having used ecstasy-type stimulants at least six times in the previous six months, and having lived for the past year in the capital city where the interview took place.
Participants gave informed consent.
Ethical clearance was obtained nationally and in each state and territory.
Demographic characteristicsof survey participants
• Mean age 25 years• Two thirds male• 87% heterosexual• Half had tertiary qualifications• 84% employed or studying (full-time, part-
time or in combination)
Ecstasy purity rated as low, 2003-12
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1112 9
1317
14
24
5648
27
% o
f par
ticip
ants
2012
What precautions did you generally take to avoid bad
effects from ecstasy-type pills in the last six months?
Precautions taken
drug testing kit
observed effect on others
other
checked website
good reputation
initially one pill or less
trusted source
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
10
12
17
34
35
37
63
% of those who took precautions, n = 496
Nearly one in five (19%) responded ‘none’
Should we worry?!
Rating of ecstasy purity
Low Medium High Fluctuates0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
25
36
2018
31 31
13
26
Precautions (n = 477) No precautions (n = 111)
% o
f ED
RS p
artic
ipan
ts
Lab testing results confirm that quality mixed
Number of people purchased from, by whether took precautions
Precautions
0 1 2 3 ≥4
Yes (%)n = 462 1 15 21 25 39
No (%)n = 108 3 9 23 22 43
Who is not taking precautions?
• Similar demographic characteristics• Similar proportion had experienced problems
caused by drugs (social, legal, risky behaviour, responsibilities)
• Similar level of mental health (self reported problems and K10)
In the last six months about what proportion of your friends and acquaintances have used ecstasy?
Proportion of friends who use ecstasy by whether precautions taken
All Most About half A few0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
6
43
31
20
14
45
29
12
Precautions (n = 477) No precautions (n = 111 )
% E
DRS
par
ticip
ants
No significant differences
Ecstasy use• Age first used ecstasy and when use became
regular• Length of time using ecstasy• Frequency and amountEcstasy market• Perceptions of purity and availability• Who they purchased from & frequency of
purchases
Other risky behaviour by those who reported not taking precautions
Significantly less likely to have • Recently used an emerging psychoactive
substance, 23% compared with 35%Significantly more likely• Unprotected sex with a casual partner while
using drugs, 57% compared with 43%
Those who reported not taking precautions differed significantly around
alcohol use
• Drank alcohol more often in the previous six months, a mean of 68 days compared with 57 days
• More likely to have had more than 5 standard drinks the last time they had ecstasy, 72% compared with 62%
• More likely to have driven under the influence of alcohol, 68% compared with 54%
• Higher mean score on Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
Low-risk Mod-risk High-risk Possible dependency0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
19
39
18
25
11
2624
39
Precautions (n = 470) No precautions (n = 106)
% E
DRS
par
ticip
ants
Important differences
Those who said they did not take precautions were more likely to have
• higher use of alcohol• unprotected sex with a casual partner when
using drugs• a larger proportion of their friends using
ecstasy
Conclusions
• Combination of ecstasy use with high alcohol use associated with less precautionary behaviour
• Friendship networks amongst ecstasy users can work for or against harm reduction