NCJ Number
211306
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2005 Pages: 33-38
Date Published
January 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study described the correlates of Ecstasy use among persons aged 45 years and older and compared the characteristics of older Ecstasy users with those of non-users.
Abstract
While most users of Ecstasy in Australia are persons less than 30 years old, evidence suggests that older persons are increasingly using small amounts of Ecstasy, particularly women who seek to renew sexual relations with their Viagra enhanced male partners. The current study investigated the socio-demographic characteristics, illicit drug use histories, perceptions of illicit drug use, and attitudes toward drug policies among a sample of 90 middle-aged and older persons in Australia who had used Ecstasy at least once. Participants were sampled from 14,622 respondents to the 1998 and 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Surveys. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that socio-demographic factors were not predictive of Ecstasy use among this population. Among the risk factors for having used Ecstasy were attitudes supportive of needle and syringe exchange programs and for heroin prescription trials, as well as attitudes supportive of legislation for the personal use of amphetamines. Past cocaine, cannabis, and amphetamine use were also predictive of Ecstasy use among persons aged 45 years and older. The findings suggest the need for a larger study focused on the prevalence and use patterns of Ecstasy among middle aged and older persons. Tables, references