Illicit drug use among rave attendees in a nationally representative sample of US high school seniors

Abstract

Background The popularity of electronic dance music and rave parties such as dance festivals has increased in recent years. Targeted samples of party-goers suggest high rates of drug use among attendees, but few nationally representative studies have examined these associations. Methods We examined sociodemographic correlates of rave attendance and relationships between rave attendance and recent (12-month) use of various drugs in a representative US sample of high school seniors (modal age: 18) from the Monitoring the Future study (2011–2013; Weighted N= 7,373). Results One out of five students (19.8%) reported ever attending a rave, and 7.7% reported attending at least monthly. Females and highly religious students were less likely to attend raves, and Hispanics, students residing in cities, students with higher income and those who go out for fun multiple times per week were more likely to attend. Rave attendees were more likely than non-attendees to report use of an illicit drug other than marijuana (35.5% vs. 15.6%, p < .0001). Attendees were more likely to report use of each of the 18 drugs assessed, and attendees were more likely to report more frequent use (≥6 times) of each drug (ps < .0001). Controlling for sociodemographic covariates, frequent attendance (monthly or more often) was associated with higher odds of use of each drug (ps < .0001). Frequent attendees were at highest risk for use of “club drugs.” Discussion Findings from this study can help inform prevention and harm reduction among rave attendees at greatest risk for drug use.

Detection of “bath salts” and other novel psychoactive substances in hair samples of ecstasy/MDMA/“Molly” users

“…A recent study focusing on a national sample of high school seniors in the US found that only 1% self-reported last-year use of “bath salts” (Palamar, 2015), and an investigation of the same national sample found that those who attend “rave” parties—especially at higher frequencies—are more likely to report “bath salt” use (Palamar et al, 2015a). Specifically, results from that study suggest that 3.7% of those ever attending a “rave” reported “bath salt” use; 6.7% of those who reported attending monthly or more often reported use, and 1.4% of those ever attending reported using “bath salts” on six or more occasions (Palamar et al, 2015a).…”

“…Specifically, results from that study suggest that 3.7% of those ever attending a “rave” reported “bath salt” use; 6.7% of those who reported attending monthly or more often reported use, and 1.4% of those ever attending reported using “bath salts” on six or more occasions (Palamar et al, 2015a). Findings from this current study corroborate these national survey findings in that nightclub/festival attendance was associated with a higher likelihood of having a positive test result for synthetic cathinones.…”

“…Participants were asked their age, sex, race/ethnicity, level of educational attainment, and weekly income (Palamar et al, 2015a). We also asked, “How often do you go to rave/nightclub/festival/dance parties?” with answer options: never, a few times a year, once or twice a month, at least once a week, and almost every day (Miech et al, 2015; Palamar et al, 2015a).…”

“…We also asked, “How often do you go to rave/nightclub/festival/dance parties?” with answer options: never, a few times a year, once or twice a month, at least once a week, and almost every day (Miech et al, 2015; Palamar et al, 2015a). Answers were recoded into: 1) attend less than once a week and 2) attend at least once a week.…”

Characteristics of novel psychoactive substance exposures reported to New York City Poison Center, 2011–2014

“…For example, psychedelic or hallucinogen-using psychonauts and nightclub and festival attendees appear to be more drawn to NPS that have stimulant and/or psychedelic effects (31). Nightclub attendees (primarily those who prefer electronic dance music) also report high rates of NPS use compared to the general population (31,32). Our results appear to confirm associations between drugs of this type, as users of other NPS are more likely to report concomitant use of ecstasy (which is among the most common “club drugs” (17,33,34).…”