NCJ Number
212353
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 39-71
Date Published
2005
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This study explored the micro-level processes associated with the diffusion of ecstasy from bar settings to urban neighborhoods and youth networks.
Abstract
While ecstasy has primarily been thought of as a dance drug associated with raves and other nighttime party activities, the drug has been diffused across continents and social settings. While the research literature contains information on the drug’s diffusion across continents, it has been relatively silent on the micro-level processes of how the club drug traveled across settings and classes and into the general population. Participant observation, in-depth interviews, and survey data (N=401) were gathered in Hartford, Connecticut between 1998 and 2002; participants answered questions about their use of ecstasy and how it was marketed, as well as questions related to drug selling, violence exposure, and sexual risk. The findings indicated that the first encounter of urban African-American and Puerto Rican youth with ecstasy occurred in Hartford’s dance or after-hours clubs. These youth, in turn, began buying and selling the drug, taking it back to their neighborhoods for use and distribution. Future research should focus on the ways that urban youths are influenced and participate in large-scale marketing schemes promoting the use of new drugs. Table, figure, notes, references