The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59751

Caleb Banta-Green, MPH, MSW¹, Gary Goldbaum, MD, MPH², Susan Kingston, BS³, Michael Hanrahan, BA³, Richard Harruff, MD, PhD⁴, Barry Logan, PhD⁵, and Matthew Golden, MD, MPH⁶. (1) Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, 1107 NE 45th St, Suite 120, Seattle, WA 98105, 2066853919, calebbg@u.washington.edu, (2) Chronic Disease and Injury Control Officer, Public Health-Seattle & King County / University of Washington, 400 Yesler Building, 5th Floor, Seattle, WA 98104, (3) HIV/AIDS Program, Public Health- Seattle & King County, 400 Yesler Ave, 3rd Floor, Seattle, WA 98104, (4) Medical Examiner, Public Health- Seattle & King County, 325 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, (5) Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau, Washington State Patrol, 2203 Airport Way S, Suite 360, Seattle, WA 98134, (6) STD Clinic, Public Health- Seattle & King County / University of Washington, 325 9th Ave Box 359777, Seattle, WA 98104

The use of MDMA/Ecstasy is regularly reported by youth in Seattle school surveys and among those calling the local drug helpline. However, MDMA barely register in most indicator data sources including drug treatment admissions and medical examiner reports. Enormous dance parties/‘raves’ with 6,000 to 10,000 youth have become common over the last several years in Seattle. Law enforcement and emergency response data point to extensive MDMA use and sales at these events. But many questions remain- 1) which populations are using MDMA, 2) what are their patterns of use, 3) what are the impacts of use, and 4) are users taking steps to reduce negative effects of use? The authors combine multiple data sources to gain insight into the phenomenon of MDMA use including data gathered during a community based survey of over 350 people in 2003. Populations surveyed include men who have sex with men who frequent sex clubs and gay bars, youth and young adults at ‘raves’, and youth in social service agencies. Other data sources include the county medical examiner, state toxicology lab, public drug treatment, law enforcement, and the county STD clinic. Specifics about the use of drugs as part of the ‘party scene’ for these populations will be discussed, focusing on MDMA. Risks associated with the use of MDMA will be examined as will user’s risk reduction strategies.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 3. Articulate the similarities and differences between MDMA and other commonly used illegal drugs in terms of both patterns and impacts of use.
  6. Assess the relative merits of various epidemiological data with regards to measuring drug use trends.
  9. Describe risk reduction strategies for MDMA users.

Keywords: Drug Use, Special Populations

Related Web page: adai.washington.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.