Download this fact sheet: How ecstasy use is changing in Australia [PDF: 426 KB]
Number 4.7 December 2005
for teachers and workers
Introduction
Ecstasy is a street term for a range of drugs that are similar in structure to MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Ecstasy is also known as E, XTC and eccy. Ecstasy is a stimulant and hallucinogen. Approximately 22 per cent of young people aged 20Ð29 years have used ecstasy at least once in their lifetime.
Approximately 20 years ago, ecstasy use started to spread into isolated pockets of youth and adolescent populations around the world. It has historically been associated with specific populations (white “Anglo”) and settings (clubs and raves). However, this trend is changing and ecstasy use is moving into other areas of the community. Recent Australian research shows that people first try ecstasy in their late teens and it is used by a broad range of people from school students to professional people in their forties.
This fact sheet examines the recent change in ecstasy use in Australia.
Rave parties
Raves are outdoor dance events at which DJs play electronic dance music. They may start and finish over the course of a night, or last several days. Raves first emerged in Europe during the mid 1980s, and it appears that “ravers” share similar characteristics to the “flower power” children of the 1960s and 1970s, with both groups emphasising the values of love, unity, freedom and connectedness. Findings show that raves are the most common site for first time ecstasy experimentation.
The music
The music played at raves is usually non-vocal and computer generated. It includes a variety of different sub-genres such as techno, house, acid ambient and trance. Trance is based on a 4×4 drumbeat with repetitive structure and with many layers making up the melody in a rhythmic fashion that creates some form of meditative state. This sub-genre became the leading category within electronic music during the mid 1990s. There is evidence to suggest that the music (especially the drums) and dancing in a hot environment may increase the effects of the drugs.
Changing venues
When analysing the link between raves and ecstasy it is important to consider the reasons that young people attend these parties.
- Some of the initial messages of raves were those of peace, love and connectedness. These messages created a perfect environment for young people to socialise, dance all night and have fun.
- Ecstasy creates feelings of confidence, euphoria, improved communication, empathy and energy, thus enabling users to achieve some of their expectations during the party.
While ecstasy is primarily associated with the dance scene, other venues of use include:
- private residences
- music concerts
- bars
- hip hop clubs
- parks and streets.
The spread of ecstasy use to settings other than raves increases the chance that other groups of young people will experiment with the drug.
The generic ecstasy user
The picture of the “generic” ecstasy user that has emerged from research studies includes the following characteristics:
- young (mean age approximately 21 years)
- educated
- employed
- white, middle to upper class
- no criminal record.
However, ecstasy use in Victoria is changing and has spread into a range of culturally and linguistically diverse communities, as well as within gay and lesbian communities. Ecstasy is increasingly becoming a non-culturally specific drug, and it is spreading among a variety of groups and socioeconomic strata.
Ecstasy use among school students and teenagers
There is evidence that ecstasy use is commencing at a younger age, among school students from different races, socioeconomic levels, religions and nations. It is important to understand the prevalence of ecstasy use among the younger age groups, and especially among secondary school students, so that prevention programs can focus on this group in order to prevent or delay future drug problems.
Recent surveys of illicit drug use among secondary school students have found that an increasing number of Australian school students aged 12 to 17 years have experimented with ecstasy. Male students are more likely than female students to report use. Overall, these findings provide evidence that ecstasy use does exist among Australian students, and given that ecstasy intake in Australia tends to increase with age, there is reason for preventive action.
Signs and symptoms of ecstasy use
In cases where a student is using ecstasy on the weekend, teachers may be exposed to symptoms of ecstasy “come down” during the week. Adolescents who become exhausted from using drugs and dancing on the weekend can find it hard to function properly at school. These symptoms usually begin the day after the drug is taken and can last for several days:
- insomnia
- depression
- anxiety
- paranoia
- fatigue
- difficulty concentrating.
These symptoms can indicate problems other than drug use, such as depression or mental illness, so teachers should be careful when considering possible drug use by students. In general, teachers need to respond to information about students according to their professional training, departmental or legislative requirements and with the safety and welfare of the students in mind.
The following services are available for young people:
- Youth Substance Abuse Service, tel. 1800 014 446
24-hour counselling, support and referral for 12–21-year-olds
- Family Drug Help, tel. 1300 660 068
A support service for family members that is staffed by trained volunteers and professional counsellors.
- Directline, tel. 1800 888 236
Confidential counselling and referral, 24 hours, 7 days.
More information
For more information on drugs and drug prevention contact the DrugInfo Clearinghouse on tel. 1300 85 85 84, email druginfo@adf.org.au, or see our website www.druginfo.adf.org.au.