Profile and correlates of colorimetric reagent kit use among people who use ecstasy/MDMA and other illegal stimulants in Australia.
Amy Peacock, Daisy Gibbs, Olivia Price, Monica J Barratt, Nadine Ezard, Rachel Sutherland, Penelope L Hill, Jodie Grigg, Simon Lenton, Robert L. Page, Caroline Salom, Caitlin Hughes, Raimondo Bruno
International Journal of Drug Policy November 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103334 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 792 |
| Population | Australians residing in capital cities who reported regularly using ecstasy/MDMA and/or other illegal stimulants at least monthly in the past six months |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Colorimetric reagent kit Drug checking Harm reduction Pill testing Stimulants |
| Citations | 12 |
| Key findings | Among people who use illegal stimulants, 36% had tested drug contents or purity, and 86% of those used a colorimetric reagent kit; correlates of drug checking included being younger, male, using new psychoactive substances, and seeking information from peers or online. |
Abstract
Colorimetric reagent kits can provide information about the compounds present in drug samples. This study aimed to identify patterns and correlates of colorimetric reagent kit use, as well as behavioural outcomes of testing, amongst people who use illegal stimulants in a context that lacks permanent government-sanctioned drug checking services. Australians residing in capital cities who reported regularly using ecstasy/MDMA and/or other illegal stimulants ≥monthly in the past six months were recruited via social media and word-of-mouth from April-July 2019 (N = 792). Participants were asked about testing the contents and/or purity of illegal drugs, and features of last colorimetric reagent kit use. Logistic regression identified correlates of last using a kit (referent: no use of drug checking technology to test drug contents/purity in the past year). Over one-third (36%) reported testing drug contents and/or purity; of this group, 86% had last used a colorimetric reagent kit. On the last occasion, 52% reported someone else had conducted testing; 58% said testing occurred <24 h before planned drug use; and 24% reported testing for quantity of a substance. Correlates of drug checking comprised: being younger, male, past six-month use of new psychoactive substances, accessing community-based health services for alcohol or other drug reasons, selling drugs for cash profit, obtaining information from peers who had tried the drug, and searching online for reports of the drug by stamp/appearance. The majority (84%) tested a substance they had been sold and/or given as MDMA; of these, 87% detected MDMA. Of those who expected and detected MDMA, 29% and 11% reported results to their peers and dealer, respectively. People who use ecstasy/MDMA and/or other illegal stimulants seek out objective information about substance contents. In countries that lack permanent government-sanctioned drug checking services, it is important to acknowledge that people already engage in drug checking but with suboptimal technologies and without tailored specialist advice and education.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug Recreational Ecstasy users recruited via snowball peer network | 1992 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 100 |
| Reducedin vivobinding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users Male regular ecstasy users and well-matched controls | 1999 | Cross-sectional association study | n = 20 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland Drug users at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, aged 16-47, 80% between 18 and... | 2001 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 122 |
| Acute, sub‐acute and long‐term subjective consequences of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) consumption in 430 regular users Regular MDMA users | 2003 | Cross-sectional study | n = 466 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Adulteration and substitution of drugs purchased in Australia from cryptomarkets: An analysis of Test4Pay Drug and Alcohol Review March 4, 2024
- Harm reduction behaviours and harm experiences of people who use 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Harm Reduction Journal March 21, 2024
- Increases in the use of drug testing kits among nightclub and festival attendees in New York City who use ecstasy, 2017-2022. Drug and Alcohol Review May 1, 2024
- A thematic analysis of MDMA-related harm and harm reduction experiences and knowledge in Aotearoa New Zealand. Harm Reduction Journal May 23, 2024
- Risk communication about high-dose MDMA: Impact of a hypothetical drug alert on future MDMA use. Drug and Alcohol Review May 1, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 6
- Variability in content and dissolution profiles of MDMA tablets collected in the UK between 2001 and 2018 – A potential risk to users? Drug Testing and Analysis April 22, 2019
- Specific harm reduction strategies employed by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetmine/ ecstasy users in the United States and the United Kingdom Drug Science, Policy and Law 2017
- Patterns of ecstasy use amongst live music event attendees and their opinions on pill testing: a cross sectional study. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy August 5, 2020
- Prevalence of reagent test-kit use and perceptions of purity among ecstasy users in an electronic dance music scene in New York City. Drug and Alcohol Review January 2019
- Music festival attendees' illicit drug use, knowledge and practices regarding drug content and purity: a cross-sectional survey. Harm Reduction Journal January 5, 2018
and 1 more in the library