Drug Use by Music Festival Attendees: A Novel Triangulation Approach Using Self-Reported Data and Test Results of Oral Fluid and Pooled Urine Samples

Gjerde, Hallvard; Gjersing, Linn; Baz-Lomba, José Antonio; Bijlsma, Lubertus; Salgueiro‐González, Noelia; Furuhaugen, Håvard; Bretteville-Jensen, Anne Line; Hernández, Félix; Castiglioni, Sara; Amundsen, Ellen Johanna; Zuccato, Ettore

doi:10.1080/10826084.2019.1646285

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…Similar to the studies conducted elsewhere, the most common PASs used by our study participants over a 30-day period were: MDMA, amphetamine, cocaine, LSD and ketamine (Betzler et al, 2019;Gjerde et al, 2019;Hannemann et al, 2017;Otiashvili, 2020;Tossmann et al, 2001). Unlike similar studies conducted in Europe and former Soviet Union, psilocybin was also among the most commonly reported substances.…”

Section: Psychoactive Substances and Implications For Harm Reductionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Psychoactive substance use and drug checking practices among participants at electronic dance music events in Ukraine

Kushakov

Dvoriak²,

Morozova³

et al. 2022

DHS

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Purpose To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has previously examined the use of psychoactive substances (PASs) at electronic dance music (EDM) events in Ukraine. Addressing this gap in the research literature, this study aims to: describe the recreational drug scene associated with Ukrainian EDM culture; identify clusters of EDM participants who use PAS, based on their drug use patterns; and assess the uptake of drug checking and investigate associations between drug checking and subsequent drug-related behaviour. Design/methodology/approach A series of cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2021 (N = 1,307) among EDM festival participants in Ukraine. The authors performed cluster analysis to identify distinct profiles of PAS users. Trends in drug checking were analysed based on cross-sectional surveys conducted at one recurring festival in 2018 (N = 99), 2019 (N = 195) and 2021 (N = 237). Findings The substances most often used at EDM events were 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (37%), amphetamine (16%), lysergic acid diethylamide (11%) and cocaine (9%). Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of participants who reported to have ever tested their drugs has increased from 2% to 26% (p < 0.001). Unexpected or inconclusive test results led to a significantly lower chances of drug consumption (p = 0.003). The authors identified three distinct clusters of PAS users among the EDM festival attendees in Ukraine. Originality/value This study will inform the development of harm reduction interventions tailored to various subgroups of recreational PAS users taking into account gender-specific patterns of use suggested by the authors’ cluster analysis. Increased availability of drug checking is crucial to reduce the risks of drug-related harm associated with the consumption of mis-sold, mislabeled and/or adulterated substances.

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Section: Psychoactive Substances and Implications For Harm Reductionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Psychoactive substance use and drug checking practices among participants at electronic dance music events in Ukraine

Kushakov

Dvoriak²,

Morozova³

et al. 2022

DHS

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“…Furthermore, the authors aimed to reach out a well-structured sampling method for drug analysis of pooled urine. 4,5,10 From a preventive perspective, a collaboration was established between different actors, namely health care professionals, law enforcement members, and festival organizers. The authors hope to stimulate others to carry out equal projects in order to create a more global mapping and to detect arising trends on which prevention strategies can rely on.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This creates an environment to experiment with substances that are designed to intensify feelings of pleasure and relaxation. [3][4][5] In addition, studies pointed out that drug use is largely concentrated among young adults (aged 15 to 34 years). 1 Major music festivals, with visitors from around the globe, are locations where recreational drugs are frequently found and new drugs, such as new psychoactive substances (NPS), will be explored.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 Major music festivals, with visitors from around the globe, are locations where recreational drugs are frequently found and new drugs, such as new psychoactive substances (NPS), will be explored. [3][4][5] The aim of this study was to obtain objective data on drug use in Flanders, Belgium by analyzing urine samples at a major festival during the summer of 2019.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pooled Urine Analysis at a Belgian Music Festival: Trends in Alcohol Consumption and Recreational Drug Use

Geuens

Hoofstadt

Hoogmartens

et al. 2022

Prehosp. Disaster med.

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Background: Recreational drug use has become more and more accepted in society. Availability and purity are rising and new psychoactive substances (NPS) are popping up. The aim of this study was to provide objective data on illicit drug use at a Belgian festival in order to report on arising trends. This may provide additional information to help develop preventive strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional study took place during a music festival in the summer of 2019, where 43 samples of pooled urine were collected at four different locations and at different moments of the day. Analysis was performed using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) to determine ethanol concentrations. Drugs of abuse were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A qualitative analysis was performed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Results: Median ethanol concentration was 0.88g/L. Cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamines, ketamine, and cannabis were detected in almost every sample and often in high concentrations. Furthermore, two NPS were detected and a variety of over-the-counter medication and adulterants were also found. Discussion: The findings were largely in-line with trends outlined in the European Drug Report. Striking were the relatively high concentrations of MDMA and ketamine and detection of two synthetic cathinones. Two possible adulterants of cocaine were detected, namely flecainide and amlodipine. Conclusion: Music festivals are considered a high-risk setting for alcohol consumption and illicit drug use. Analysis of pooled urine samples at a festival therefore provides a valuable method to evaluate trends and to screen for new substances. Wide-spread use of classical drugs and identification of two NPS were observed during a major international music festival in Belgium. Results need to be interpreted carefully, taking into account the possibilities and limitations of the used techniques and a standardized sampling is required.

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“…Generally, multiple samples are taken from various urine reservoirs, over a 12-hour period, and then mixed to form pooled urine samples. This sampling method can be applied in cities where stand-alone urinals are routinely used at weekends [19], but can also be used for monitoring specific night time settings or recreational events such as music festivals [20][21][22][23][24]. Sampling urine aliquots from urinals ensures the collection of anonymous and representative samples and results may reflect the direct use of NPS.…”

Section: Sample Collection and Sample Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives and challenges associated with the determination of new psychoactive substances in urine and wastewater – A tutorial

Bijlsma¹,

Bade

Béen

et al. 2021

Analytica Chimica Acta

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New psychoactive substances (NPS), often designed as (legal) substitutes to conventional illicit drugs, are constantly emerging in the drug market and being commercialized in different ways and forms. Their use continues to cause public health problems and is therefore of major concern in many countries. Monitoring NPS use, however, is arduous and different sources of information are required to get more insight of the prevalence and diffusion of NPS use. The determination of NPS in pooled urine and wastewater has shown great potential, adding a different and complementary light on this issue. However, it also presents analytical challenges and limitations that must be taken into account such as the complexity of the matrices, the high sensitivity and selectivity required in the analytical methods as a consequence of the low analyte concentrations as well as the rapid transience of NPS on the drug market creating a scenario with constantly moving analytical targets. Analytical investigation of NPS in pooled urine and wastewater is based on liquid chromatography hyphenated to mass spectrometry and can follow different strategies: target, suspect and non-target analysis. This work aims to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different data acquisition workflows and data exploration approaches in mass spectrometry, but also pays attention to new developments such as ion mobility and the use of in-silico prediction tools to improve the identification capabilities in high-complex samples. This tutorial gives an insight into this emerging topic of current concern, and describes the experience gathered within different collaborations and projects supported by key research articles and illustrative practical examples.

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Drug Use by Music Festival Attendees: A Novel Triangulation Approach Using Self-Reported Data and Test Results of Oral Fluid and Pooled Urine Samples

Cited by 8 publications

References 56 publications

Psychoactive substance use and drug checking practices among participants at electronic dance music events in Ukraine

Psychoactive substance use and drug checking practices among participants at electronic dance music events in Ukraine

Pooled Urine Analysis at a Belgian Music Festival: Trends in Alcohol Consumption and Recreational Drug Use

Perspectives and challenges associated with the determination of new psychoactive substances in urine and wastewater – A tutorial

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