title: Social contacts and Ecstasy offers: findings of a population-based study.
abstract: Ecstasy (MDMA) use is relatively common among young adults in many developed countries. However, little is known about how young non-users are first introduced to Ecstasy, including the relative contribution of peer networks and individual risk factors. We assess the role of social contact with Ecstasy-using peers in regard to young adults' exposure to offers of Ecstasy, using data from the Natural History Study, a population-based study conducted in Australia. Population screening of young adults (19- to 23-year-olds) identified a sample of young Ecstasy users (N = 315) and a comparison group of Ecstasy-naïve participants (N = 199). Two outcomes are considered: being exposed to any Ecstasy offers and being exposed to > 3 offers. Extensive social contact with Ecstasy users was defined as knowing > 10 Ecstasy users. Of the Ecstasy-naïve young adults, > 40% had ever received Ecstasy offers. Extensive social contact with Ecstasy users independently predicted exposure to multiple (> 3) Ecstasy offers for Ecstasy-naïve young adults. These findings indicate that Ecstasy offers are widespread among users and non-users of Ecstasy. For non-users, exposure to Ecstasy offers occurs through social contact with drug-using peers independently of individual risk factors. The pervasiveness of Ecstasy offers suggests that universal education concerning Ecstasy use is required.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia. a.smirnov@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smirnov
authors.affiliation: Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Jake M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Najman
authors.affiliation: Crime and Misconduct Commission, St Pauls Terrace, FortitudeValley, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Margot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Legosz
authors.affiliation: Crime and Misconduct Commission, St Pauls Terrace, FortitudeValley, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.affiliation: Drug Harm Reduction Branch, Preventative Health Directorate, Queensland Health, Division of the Chief Health Officer, Herston, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kemp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine