NCJ Number
210980
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 40 Issue: 9-10 Dated: 2005 Pages: 1279-1293
Date Published
2005
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper describes and examines the epidemiology of club drug use in Germany, including the use of ecstasy (MDMA) and other related substances.
Abstract
According to the media in Germany in the 1990s, the use of party drugs seemed to be closely associated with a specific party scene characterized by large dance events featuring house, rave, and techno music with an expected prevalence rate of ecstasy use within the techno scene to be higher. This paper describes the prevalence of ecstasy-related drug use in Germany on the basis of three representative household surveys. Two studies with convenience samples within the techno party scene are presented. In addition, motives for using and stopping the use of ecstasy are described: the question of the mental health state of ecstasy users is highlighted. Overall, ecstasy has reached the second place (after cannabis) in illegal drug preferences of adolescents and young adults in Germany. Ecstasy seems to yet another substance in the youth-related illicit substance carousel. Tables and references