Identifying the Prevalence and Correlates of Ecstasy and Other Club Drug (EOCD) Use Among High School Seniors

Abstract

A plethora of anecdotal evidence has suggested that the use of “club drugs,” such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), Ketamine, Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphe-tamine (MDMA or “ecstasy”), is a serious problem among youth across the United States. Unfortunately, little scientific evidence exists to support this contention. In the current study, we examine the ecstasy and other club drug (EOCD)-using behaviors of 1,561 high school seniors surveyed in 2000 through the Monitoring the Future (MTF) study. Prevalence estimates of EOCD use are generated and associations between EOCD use, demographic characteristics, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use are explored. Twelve-month self-reports for ecstasy, LSD, Ketamine, and GHB were 8%, 6%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. Compared to students who reported no use of EOCD during the 12 months preceding the interview, 12-month EOCD users were significantly more likely to be white, to live in the suburbs, and to have used allother drugs of abuse during the 12 months preceding the interview. Logistic regression identified that the strongest predictors of 12-month EOCD use were the use of heroin and other psychedelic drugs during the 12 months preceding the interview. Implications for these findings are discussed.

Key Words:

• Ecstasy
• GHB
• Ketamine
• LSD