Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2004
Robert G. Carlson, Rüssel S. Falck, Jill A. McCaughan et al.
49 citations
Most active Ecstasy users do not associate the drug with risks of neurotoxicity or psychological problems, beyond the danger of obtaining a deadly substitute. Based on audiotaped focus groups and individual interviews with 30 users in Ohio, users instead seek harm-reduction strategies for safe use and largely ignore prevention messages like "just say no." Because Ecstasy is often used in small friend groups, interventions involving peer leaders or social networks may be effective.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
August 22, 2007
Rüssel S. Falck, Jichuan Wang, Robert G. Carlson
45 citations
Among 402 young adult MDMA users followed for two years, depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) declined from an average score of 9.8 at baseline to 7.7 at 24 months, decreasing by 0.36 points every six months. People with higher initial scores showed greater declines. Men and white participants had lower scores than women and non-whites; those with some university education had lower scores than those without. Current benzodiazepine or opioid users and people who had used MDMA more than 50 times had higher scores. The low and declining average scores suggest that for most people, MDMA use does not lead to long-term depressive symptoms.
Substance Use & Misuse
January 1, 2005
Jill A. McCaughan, Robert G Carlson, Rüssel S. Falck et al.
43 citations
Young people who attend raves and use ecstasy are not a uniform group. Based on focus groups, interviews with 36 current and former ecstasy users aged 19–31 in central Ohio, and participant observation, five main subgroups were identified: Chemi-Kids, Candy Kids, non-affiliated Party Kids, Junglists, and Old School Ravers. These groups differ in musical taste, philosophy, clothing, time in the subculture, and drug use patterns. For instance, ecstasy use is most common among Candy Kids, while Junglists tend to use more ketamine and methamphetamine. Alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogens are also widespread. This typology can help design targeted prevention strategies.
Pediatrics
November 1, 2006
Rüssel S. Falck, Linna Li, Robert H. Carlson et al.
19 citations
Among 2,437 12th-grade students in the Dayton, Ohio area, 4.9% reported having used dextromethorphan to get high at least once in their lifetime, and 3.7% reported use in the past year. Among 1,739 11th-grade students, 3.4% reported lifetime use and 2.4% past-year use. Boys were significantly more likely than girls to use the drug, while no significant differences were found between white and nonwhite adolescents. Dextromethorphan users were also more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol heavily, and use marijuana and other illicit drugs. The lifetime prevalence among 12th-graders exceeded that for several other drugs, including anabolic steroids, MDMA, heroin, crack cocaine, and Ritalin.