The role of an international nightlife resort in the proliferation of recreational drugs

Abstract

The emergence of international nightlife resorts increasingly links drug use abroad with that in individuals' countries of origin. Our results indicate that resorts such as Ibiza offer tourists the opportunity to increase levels of drug consumption and try different substances in an atmosphere conducive to experimentation. Patterns of recreational drug use in leading international resorts may help predict developments in drug use elsewhere and as such be an important tool in planning appropriate interventions.

Risk and transgression on holiday: 'new experiences' and the pied piper of excessive consumption

“…While we focus on the interactions and operations of one of the main resorts on Ibiza (San Antonio), the results reported in this article seem to be consistent with previous research conducted in Ibiza regarding young people's engagement in excessive consumption and risky behaviour (Bellis et al, 2000;Bellis et al, 2003;Hughes et al, 2009). We sought to advance current knowledge, based in the main on surveys, by making use of both ethnographic and phenomenological approaches to 'capture' the group feeling and subjectivities attached to this form of holiday.…”

“…We sought to advance current knowledge, based in the main on surveys, by making use of both ethnographic and phenomenological approaches to 'capture' the group feeling and subjectivities attached to this form of holiday. Our data shows that the behaviours are not some pathology or defunct psychological attribute but present themselves in a social context designed for mass consumption (Miles, 2010); in the 'party destination' of San Antonio, Ibiza (Bellis et al, 2003;Calafat et al, 1998;Hughes et al, 2004) similar to other holiday contexts noted by other academics in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria (Tutenges, 2010) Majorca, Spain (Hughes et al, 2009) and Spring Break destinations in the US (Josiam et al, 1998;Smeaton et al, 1998; see also Uriely and Belhassen, 2006;Segev et al, 2005). Indeed, it seems quite fitting that the British should be able to continue this level of consumption for, at a time when British tourism is faltering (IREFREA, 2007) and the local government is concerned about their 'image' (Payeras et al, 2011), one way for Ibiza to sustain its income is to continue to permit the economy to extract as much money from the British as possible but strategically restrict it to a permissive area on the island -namely the San Antonio drinking strip.…”

“…As we noted earlier, there have been numerous epidemiological studies on youth, risk and the holiday (e.g. Bellis et al, 2000;Bellis et al, 2003;Hughes et al, 2004;Hughes et al, 2009). However, by comparison, there are few qualitative studies (but see, for example, Uriely and Belhassen 2006;Tutenges, 2010;Briggs 2013).…”

“…For example, research on British youth on holiday in the Balearics found that the number of British in their sample (n=1033) drinking five days a week or more jumped from 7% in the UK to 86% when they were in Ibiza. Furthermore, they found that over half (53.9%) of British youth to Ibiza reported using at least one drug on holiday and over a third reported using more than one drug (Hughes et al, 2009 (IREFREA, 2007), 'crazy' party scene and easy access to substances (Bellis et al, 2003;Calafat et al, 1998;Hughes et al, 2004). Indeed, these features of Ibiza seem to be specifically marketed at British youth (Sellars, 1998) which is why Ibiza relies so much on young British tourists to support its economy (Armstrong, 2004;Garratt, 1999).…”

“…It is well documented that British youth engage in increased alcohol, drug use, and (unprotected) sex during their 'holidays' at nightlife destinations (Bellis et al, 2003;Engineer et al, 2003;Hughes et al, 2009). For example, research on British youth on holiday in the Balearics found that the number of British in their sample (n=1033) drinking five days a week or more jumped from 7% in the UK to 86% when they were in Ibiza.…”