NCJ Number
209599
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2005 Pages: 55-72
Date Published
March 2005
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study explored the prevalence and correlates of ecstasy use among high school seniors.
Abstract
The popular media has suggested that the use of MDMA or ecstasy among youth is a nationwide epidemic. However, evidence has indicated this may not be the case, with ecstasy use concentrated among “rave” attendees and not permeating into the mainstream youth markets. The current study drew on Monitoring the Future survey data collected from 2,258 high school seniors within the 48 contiguous States in 2002. The analysis focused on prevalence estimates of ecstasy use, and correlations between ecstasy use, demographic characteristics, and alcohol and other drug use. Results indicated that 10 percent of the sample reported lifetime use of ecstasy, 7 percent reported use during the past 12 months, and 3 percent reported use during the past 30 days. Those who used during the past 12 months were more likely to be White and to have used all other drugs during the year preceding the survey. The findings suggest that intervention and prevention efforts should be targeted to at-risk groups such as rave attendees, rather than the mainstream high school student population. Future research should focus on rave attendees in their natural setting in order to design effect interventions. Figure, tables, references