title: Dinosaur girls, candy girls, and Trinity: voices of Taiwanese club drug users.
abstract: Research among Asian users of methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA), also known as Ecstasy, is rare. To evaluate the feasibility of a study on the abuse of and dependence on Ecstasy, two focus groups of users (n= 12) and health professionals (n=7) were conducted in Taiwan. Major results included blatant human testing with "candy and dinosaur girls" and a specific sequence of drugs called a "Trinity" (Ecstasy, ketamine, and marijuana). "Head-shaked bars" and "KTVs" were public places where illegal behaviors were implicitly allowed. Depression after Ecstasy use was not reported. For future studies, participants suggested that magnetic resonance imaging could be a strong incentive for young users to enhance willingness to participate. Cultural issues of Ecstasy use are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 40N Kingshighway, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA. leungks@epi.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Kit-Sang
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Jih-Heng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wen-Ing
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Tsay
authors.forename: Catina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: Shu-Fen
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoffer
authors.forename: Linda B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Cottler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007649:Ketamine; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000208:ethnology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007649:Ketamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine