The Epidemiology of Ecstasy Use and Harms in Australia

Louisa Degenhardt; Amanda Roxburgh; Matthew Dunn; Gabrielle Campbell; Raimondo Bruno; Stuart A Kinner; Jessica George; Brendan Quinn; Nancy White; Libby Topp

doi:10.1159/000253553

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The Epidemiology of Ecstasy Use and Harms in Australia

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The Epidemiology of Ecstasy Use and Harms in Australia

Louisa Degenhardt, Amanda Roxburgh, Matthew Dunn, Gabrielle Campbell, Raimondo Bruno, Stuart A Kinner, Jessica George, Brendan Quinn, Nancy White and Libby Topp

Neuropsychobiology, Vol.60(3-4), pp.176-187

2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000253553

PMID: 19893334

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Abstract

ecstasy

Australia

3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine

Aims:This paper examines the epidemiology of ecstasy use and harm in Australia using multiple data sources. Design: The data included (1) Australian Customs Service 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) detections; (2) the National Drug Strategy Household and Australian Secondary Student Alcohol and Drug Surveys; (3) data from Australia’s ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System; (4) the number of recorded police incidents for ecstasy possession and distribution collated by the N.S.W. Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research; (5) the number of calls to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service and Family Drug Support relating to ecstasy; (6) the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Dataset on number of treatment episodes for ecstasy, and (7) N.S.W. Division of Analytical Laboratories toxicology data on number of deaths where MDMA was detected. Findings: Recent ecstasy use among adults in the general population has increased, whereas among secondary students it has remained low and stable. The patterns of ecstasy consumption among regular ecstasy users have changed over time. Polydrug use and use for extended periods of time (>48 h) remain common among this group. Frequent ecstasy use is associated with a range of risk behaviours and other problems, which tend to be attributed to a number of drugs along with ecstasy. Few ecstasy users present for treatment for problems related to their ecstasy consumption. Conclusions: Messages and interventions to reduce the risks associated with polydrug use and patterns of extended periods of use are clearly warranted. These messages should be delivered outside of traditional health care settings, as few of these users are engaged with such services.

Details

Title: The Epidemiology of Ecstasy Use and Harms in Australia
Authors: Louisa Degenhardt (Author) - UNSW Australia
Amanda Roxburgh (Author) - UNSW Australia
Matthew Dunn (Author) - UNSW Australia
Gabrielle Campbell (Author) - UNSW Australia
Raimondo Bruno (Author) - UNSW Australia
Stuart A Kinner (Author) - UNSW Australia
Jessica George (Author) - UNSW Australia
Brendan Quinn (Author) - UNSW Australia
Nancy White (Author) - UNSW Australia
Libby Topp (Author) - UNSW Australia
Publication details: Neuropsychobiology, Vol.60(3-4), pp.176-187
Publisher: S. Karger AG
DOI: 10.1159/000253553
ISSN: 1423-0224
PMID: 19893334
Organisation Unit: School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99472500302621
Output Type: Journal article

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