College students’ experiences with substance use at electronic music events: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: To understand college students’ experiences with substance use at electronic music events (EME), including harm-reduction strategies and receptivity to educational intervention.

Participants: A purposeful sample of undergraduate students at a private Southeastern university was recruited from April 2019 to May 2019 using online advertising and in-person tabling.

Methods: A qualitative, descriptive research design utilizing semistructured focus groups.

Results: Five focus groups were conducted (n = 18). A thematic analysis revealed three main themes: substance use is commonplace; substance use and protective behaviors; and universities' role in substance education. Additional categories and subcategories were identified within each theme.

Conclusion: Substance use at EME is a common experience for college students. Several challenges and opportunities exist for universities working to promote harm reduction practices. Prevention efforts should be event-specific, incorporate student input to engage learning more effectively, and work to reduce barriers that deter students from taking safety precautions when using substances.

Keywords:

• College
• electronic music events
• harm reduction
• substance use

Acknowledgments

The first two authors share equal authorship. The order of authorship was determined by alphabetical order. The authors are solely responsible for this article’s content and do not necessarily represent the official views of the University of Miami or Auburn University.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Miami.

Notes

1 Thick descriptions aim to convey student input with high fidelity. These descriptions consist of sharing observations that are as close to participants’ words as possible and providing appropriate context.

2 An amnesty box is a safe and secure means for event participants to dispose of drugs without consequence before entering an electronic music event.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the University of Miami Provost’s Research Award grant UM PRA 2019-402 (Brian E. McCabe, Principle Investigator).