Biological Markers of Drug Use in the Club Setting

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Objective: The prevalence of drug and alcohol use among patrons of clubs featuring electronic music dance events was determined by using biological assays at entrance and exit. Method: Using a portal methodology that randomly selects groups of patrons on arrival at clubs, oral assays for determining level and type of drug use and level of alcohol use were obtained anonymously. Patrons provided self-reported data on their personal characteristics. A total of 362 patrons were interviewed at entrance and provided oral assay data, and 277 provided data at both entrance and exit. Results: Overall, one quarter of all patrons surveyed at entrance were positive for some type of drug use. Based on our exit sample, one quarter of the sample was positive at exit. Individual drugs most prevalent at entrance or exit included cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines/stimulants. Only the amphetamine/stimulant category increased signifi cantly from entrance to exit. Drug-using patrons arrive at the club already using drugs; few patrons arrive with no drug use and leave with detectable levels of drug use. Clubs vary widely in drug-user prevalence at entrance and exit, suggesting that both events and club policies and practices may attract different types of patrons. Approximately one half of the total entrance sample arrived with detectable alcohol use, and nearly one fi fth arrived with an estimated blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater. Based on our exit sample data, one third of patrons were intoxicated, and slightly less than one fi fth were using both drugs and alcohol at exit. Clubs attract a wide array of emerging adults, with both genders and all ethnicities well represented. Clubs also attract emerging adults who are not in college and who are working full time. Conclusions: At clubs featuring electronic music dance events, drug use and/or high levels of alcohol use were detected using biological assays from patrons at entrance and exit from the clubs. Thus, these clubs present a potentially important location for prevention strategies designed to reduce the risks associated with drug and alcohol use for young people. Combined substance use may prove particularly important for prevention efforts designed to increase safety at clubs. Personal characteristics do not identify drug users, suggesting that environmental strategies for club safety may offer more promise for promoting health and safety. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 70: [261][262][263][264][265][266][267][268] 2009)

Method of transportation and drinking among club patrons

“…Certain sub-groups may be more vulnerable to violence and victimization if they leave the clubs intoxicated and unable to manage their safety upon exiting. Women may be more vulnerable to sexual predators as our evidence indicates that they are leaving clubs at the same levels of intoxication of young males (Miller et al, 2009). Group safety plans should be encouraged so that no individual group member is exiting the club alone and potentially intoxicated.…”

“…Using portal methodology established in earlier club and other venue-based studies (Miller et al, 2009, 2013; Voas et al, 2006), we approached patrons on the sidewalk by recruiting the first person who crossed an imaginary line on the sidewalk, as they approached the club entry. We used a brief verbal approach, asking patrons if they would be willing to participate in a confidential and anonymous study on nightlife safety for which they would receive $30.00 ($10 at entrance, $20 at exit).…”

“…Miller et al (2009) and Miller, Byrnes, Branner, Johnson, and Voas (2013) found that one third of patrons exiting clubs were legally intoxicated (BAC ≥ 0.08). The current study examines alcohol use among club patrons under three transportation conditions: those who departed from a club using modes of transportation other than cars or motorcycles (e.g., pedestrians, bicyclists, subway riders); those who were passengers of drivers (auto passenger patrons including taxis); and those who drove from the club (driving patrons).…”

Social drinking groups and risk experience in nightclubs: latent class analysis

“…Our previous work utilised a sampling methodology which intercepted patrons as they entered and exited the club (Miller et al, 2009; Voas et al, 2006), providing immediacy to potentially risky experiences and behaviours. Because discrepancies between patron self-report and biological assessments of drug and alcohol use occur (Johnson, Voas, Miller, & Holder, 2009), we have continued to use biological measurements as the most accurate for determining precise levels of risk.…”

Drinking group characteristics related to willingness to engage in protective behaviors with the group at nightclubs.

“…Portal methodology was used that was established in prior club studies (Johnson, Voas, & Miller, 2012; Miller, Byrnes, Branner, Johnson, et al, 2013; Miller et al, 2005; Miller et al, 2009; Voas et al, 2006). As patrons walked toward the club, research staff approached the first person who crossed an imaginary line on the sidewalk and asked them to participate in an anonymous study of nightlife safety.…”