Self-reported use of novel psychoactive substances among attendees of electronic dance music venues

Abstract

Background Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) continue to emerge in the United States and worldwide. Few epidemiological studies have examined the prevalence and correlates of use. Objective We examined the extent of NPS use in a high-risk population—attendees of electronic dance music (EDM) parties at nightclubs and festivals. Methods We surveyed 682 adults (age 18–25) entering EDM events at nightclubs and festivals in New York City (NYC) in 2015. A variation of time–space sampling was used. We examined the prevalence of self-reported use of 196 NPS and correlates of any NPS use. Results Over a third (35.1%) of participants reported lifetime use of any NPS. Self-reported use of synthetic cannabinoids was most prevalent (16.3%), followed by psychedelic phenethylamines (14.7%; 2C series: 10.3%, 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine [NBOMe] series: 9.0%, Dox series: 3.5%), synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”, 6.9%), other psychedelics (6.6%), tryptamines (5.1%), and dissociatives (4.3%). 2C-I was the most prevalent 2C series drug (5.1%); methylone was the most prevalent synthetic cathinone (3.3%), 2-MeO-ketamine was the most prevalent dissociative (3.7%), and 1P-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (2.9%) was the most prevalent non-phenethylamine psychedelic. Risk factors for NPS use included Ecstasy/MDMA/ Molly, LSD, and ketamine use; identifying as bisexual (compared to heterosexual), reporting higher frequency of nightclub/festival attendance, and being surveyed outside of a festival (compared to those surveyed outside of nightclubs). Discussion NPS use is prevalent in the nightclub and festival scenes in NYC. Since individuals in these scenes—especially frequent attendees—are at high risk for use, prevention and harm reduction services need to be geared toward this population.

Hair testing to assess both known and unknown use of drugs amongst ecstasy users in the electronic dance music scene

“…These results add to and corroborate a previous hair study which found higher levels of party attendance are related to a higher risk of testing positive for synthetic cathinones (Palamar, Salomone, et al, 2016). These results also corroborate multiple previous studies that have found higher levels of party attendance are related to robust increases in risk of using a variety of drugs including synthetic cathinones and other NPS (Palamar, Acosta, Ompad, et al, 2016; Palamar, Acosta, Sherman, et al, 2016; Palamar, Barratt, et al, 2016; Palamar et al, 2015). …”

“…Parties were randomly selected using time-space sampling (MacKellar et al, 2007; Palamar, Acosta, Sherman, Ompad, & Cleland, 2016). Individuals were eligible if they 1) were about to attend the selected party and 2) identified as age 18-40.…”

Self-Reported Ecstasy/MDMA/“Molly” Use in a Sample of Nightclub and Dance Festival Attendees in New York City

“…A recent study of EDM festival attendees found that among those who had reported using ecstasy within the last week, a number of their urine samples tested positive for “bath salts” such as alpha-PVP (“Flakka”) (12.5%), butylone (5.8%), ethylone (8.7%), dimethylone (9.6%), or methylone (22.1%) (Mohr et al, 2015). A more recent study of nightclub and dance festival attending young adults reporting lifetime ecstasy/MDMA/Molly use (and no use of “bath salts”), found that four out of ten who provided a hair sample for analysis tested positive for “bath salts” or other NPS (Palamar, Salomone, et al, 2016). Therefore, a number of ecstasy users in the US may in fact be unintentionally or unknowingly using potentially more dangerous NPS with—or in replacement of—ecstasy.…”

“…Further research is also needed to examine characteristics of NPS users (who use intentionally) and according to whether or not they use ecstasy. While we have begun to investigate characteristics of NPS-using nightclub attendees (Palamar, Acosta, Sherman, Ompad, & Cleland, 2016), further investigation is needed to determine distinguishing factors among users.…”

Discriminative stimulus and locomotor effects of para-substituted and benzofuran analogs of amphetamine

“…Despite increased regulation, use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) remains a prominent component of global drug culture and is especially popular among club- and rave-goers (Palamar et al, 2015; 2016a; 2016b). In addition to voluntary use, many individuals have inadvertently taken NPS as adulterants in “Ecstasy” or “Molly” formulations (UNODC, 2014; Palamar, 2016c).…”