Drug Use by Music Festival Attendees: A Novel Triangulation Approach Using Self-Reported Data and Test Results of Oral Fluid and Pooled Urine Samples

Abstract

Background: Self-reported data are commonly used when investigating illicit substance use. However, self-reports have well-known limitations such as limited recall and socially desirable responding. Mislabeling or adulteration of drugs on the illicit market may also cause incorrect reporting. Objectives: We aimed to examine what could be gained in terms of illicit drug use findings among music festival attendees when including biological sample test results in the assessment. Methods: We included 651 attendees at three music festivals in Norway from June to August 2016. Self-reported drug use was recorded using questionnaires, and samples of oral fluid were analyzed to detect use of illicit drugs. In addition, we analyzed samples of pooled urine from portable toilets at each festival. Results: All methods identified cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine as the most commonly used drugs. Overall, 6.6% of respondents reported use of illicit substances during the previous 48 hours. Oral fluid testing identified a larger number of drug users as 12.6% tested positive for illicit drugs. In oral fluid testing, we identified ketamine and three new psychoactive substances (NPS) that had not been reported on the questionnaire. In pooled urine testing, we identified amphetamine and three additional NPS that were neither reported used nor found in oral fluid samples. Conclusions/Importance: Drug testing of biological samples proved to be an important supplement to self-reports as a larger number of illicit substances could be detected.

Keywords:

• Recreational drug use
• illicit drugs
• music festivals
• self-reported drug use
• oral fluid
• pooled urine
• drug testing

Acknowledgments

Thanks to MSc. Alberto Celma Tirado of the University Jaume I and Francesco Riva of the Mario Negri Institute for technical assistance in the collection, extraction and analysis of pooled urine samples, and to Dr. Elisabeth L. Øiestad and Gerd-Wenche Brochmann at Oslo University Hospital for analysis of NPS in oral fluid samples.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the European Union’s Program for Research, Technological Development, and Demonstration SEWPROF (Marie Curie-PEOPLE grant number 317205) and NPS-Euronet (HOME/2014/JDRU/AG/DRUG/7086). The COST Action ES1307 supported Short Term Scientific Missions (STMS) within the present study facilitating exchange of samples and knowledge. This publication reflects the views the authors alone, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use that might be made of the information contained therein. Financial support of the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo II 2014/023) is acknowledged by the authors from University Jaume I.