Dinosaur girls, candy girls, and Trinity: voices of Taiwanese club drug users.
Kit Sang Leung, Jih-Heng Li, Wen-Ing Tsay, Catina Callahan, Shu-Fen Liu, Jui Hsu, Lee Hoffer, Linda B. Cottler
Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse 2008 DOI: 10.1080/15332640802313205 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Ecstasy users (n=12) and health professionals (n=7) in Taiwan |
| Key findings | Participants described drug practices including giving Ecstasy to unwitting people ("candy and dinosaur girls") and a drug sequence called a "Trinity" (Ecstasy, ketamine, and marijuana), with "head-shaked bars" and "KTVs" as venues where illegal behavior was implicitly allowed. Depression after Ecstasy use was not reported. Participants suggested MRI could incentivize young users to participate in future research. |
Abstract
Research among Asian users of methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA), also known as Ecstasy, is rare. To evaluate the feasibility of a study on the abuse of and dependence on Ecstasy, two focus groups of users (n= 12) and health professionals (n=7) were conducted in Taiwan. Major results included blatant human testing with "candy and dinosaur girls" and a specific sequence of drugs called a "Trinity" (Ecstasy, ketamine, and marijuana). "Head-shaked bars" and "KTVs" were public places where illegal behaviors were implicitly allowed. Depression after Ecstasy use was not reported. For future studies, participants suggested that magnetic resonance imaging could be a strong incentive for young users to enhance willingness to participate. Cultural issues of Ecstasy use are also discussed.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- To use or not to use: an update on licit and illicit ketamine use Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation March 1, 2011
- A Case Report of A Patient with Treatment-Resistant Depression Successfully Treated with Repeated Intravenous Injections of A Low Dosage of Ketamine. Shanghai archives of psychiatry December 25, 2017
- Reduced dorsal prefrontal gray matter after chronic ketamine use. Biological Psychiatry January 1, 2011
- Can the severity of dependence scale be usefully applied to 'ecstasy'? Neuropsychobiology 2009