ISSN 1681-5157 Drugs in focus Briefing 6 Recreational drug use — bimonthly a key EU challenge Policies must aim to reduce risk In nightlife settings, most people were added by the rock and roll and ecstasy had spread throughout who consume psychoactive substances phenomenon in the 1960s and the the EU with the speed and intensity you do so with the intention of ‘having fun’. punk scene in the 1970s. In the 1980s, would expect in the digital age (1). Reducing the risks run by the MDMA, widely known as ‘ecstasy’, growing numbers of mainstream young appeared in parts of Europe and began to The diffusion of recreational drug people in the EU who consume such be used in the dance-scene culture use, and of synthetic drugs in particular, substances in such settings is a key known as ‘rave’, ‘acid house’ or ‘techno’. has raised international concerns concern of policy-makers at local, A decade later, dance music about appropriate policy responses. national and international levels. Widespread availability of drugs for use in nightlife settings is a critical factor, and, in view of the failure to reduce the supply, innovative responses are required. Such responses must focus in general on the risks associated with drugs Definition in nightlife settings, and specifically Recreational drug use in this context is taken to mean the use of on those young drug users who are psychoactive substances to ‘have fun’ in nightlife settings. most at risk of developing acute or long-term health problems. The link between recreational Key policy issues at a glance psychoactive drug use and music and nightlife is well established. 1. Drug use among people in nightlife settings is much higher than in In the 1930s, underground jazz the general population and most prevalent among the relatively musicians used marijuana and cocaine affluent outgoing urban youth, with a key link between drugs and recreationally. Amphetamines, alcohol. hallucinogenics and a range of psychotropic medicaments 2. Drug use in nightlife settings is linked closely to young people’s consumer lifestyles and this has been exploited by the music, entertainment, alcohol and other industries catering for young people. 3. Despite the media’s focus on ecstasy deaths, the greatest public ‘Recreational drug use, health issue is the possibility of long-term impairment caused by especially of synthetic drugs, regular or ‘binge’ use of amphetamine-type stimulants such as is increasingly common. MDMA. Notably, those using them are 4. Responses aimed at those at risk in nightlife settings should be based not found predominantly on how best to manage the risk of recreational drugs by supplying among the marginalised or information, particularly on the uncertain long-term risks. socially deprived but among the young, studious, 5. The key role of simple, basic rules in the organisation of dance employed and relatively events is increasingly recognised as the best way of preventing affluent. Such trends appear immediate harm. to have been established rapidly across the EU.’ 6. Action at EU level to prevent the use of recreational drugs is gathering momentum and the EMCDDA is working with Member MIKE TRACE, CHAIRMAN States to gather information on the extent of and responses to the EMCDDA MANAGEMENT BOARD problem. Rua da Cruz de Santa Apolónia, 23–25, P-1149-045 Lisbon • Tel. (351) 218 11 30 00 • Fax (351) 218 13 17 11 • http://www.emcdda.org Recreational drug use — overview 1. Linked to affluence Nevertheless, country-by-country fun-seeking holiday periods, there might be a tendency for otherwise moderate and nightlife experiments in this domain are still limited and fragmented. The recent users of recreational drugs to ‘binge’ (5, 6). joint analysis of the situation and the Although recreational drug use among Recreation and alcohol consumption in general orientation resulting from it the general population is low, use among nightlife settings have been extended people in nightlife settings is much at European level are a first step. considerably by the use of stimulant higher. However, trends vary greatly If the political will remains, it should drugs that keep people wide awake. across the EU. For example, lifetime use be possible to develop relevant legal This has had a considerable spin-off of ‘ecstasy’ in the general young adult and operational processes allowing for the music, entertainment and alcohol population (15–34) range from less than cooperation and sustainable industries. The latter has developed 1 % in Greece to 12 % in the UK. Use is coordination of exchanges, techniques specifically aimed at the dance highest among men aged 20 to 30 years. evaluation and systematic market. Other industries have adopted Surveys carried out in nightlife settings networking of good practices, which the same techniques to sell a range have shown lifetime prevalence for is a decisive step towards establishing of goods such as mobile phones, trainers, clothes and hair gel. Recreational ecstasy as high as 22 % in Athens and shared instruments. 85 % in London (see Graph 1). drug use is closely linked to fashion GEORGES ESTIEVENART and image. EMCDDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rough calculations suggest that between 3 and 3.5 million adults in the EU have Associated with reports of tried ecstasy at least once (2, 3). Of these, disenchantment with the effects of 4–500 000 have used it once a week or 2. It’s a lifestyle thing ecstasy is a growing concern about the more over a period of time (see Graph 2). spread of cocaine in some EU Member Surveys in a number of EU Member States. Availability, combined with its The main reasons people give for taking States consistently reveal that most ‘champagne’ image, suggests that, in ‘ecstasy’ is to enjoy dancing and have recreational drug use is part of a balanced trend-setting nightspots, cocaine might fun. Other recreational drugs are also consumer lifestyle — and limited to a be replacing ecstasy. taken to boost confidence and energy or particular phase in a young person’s life offer new experiences (4, 5, 7). before work and family responsibilities take over. The key link between drugs and alcohol is 3. When it stops being highlighted by the higher rates of drug However, at any one time, there appears ‘fun’… use among relatively affluent young to be a hard core of heavy recreational people who go to dance clubs, pubs and users. These are often portrayed as Public perceptions about the health risks bars and drink a lot of alcohol. Alcohol people who push boundaries and display of recreational drug use are shaped remains the psychoactive substance most a form of tough, physical, ‘better to be mainly by the mass media, and ecstasy frequently and widely used for mad than sad’ hedonism. A survey of deaths have attracted considerable recreational purposes. young people in nightlife settings in nine attention. However, from a public health EU cities (5) suggests that around 14 % perspective, probably the main concern is In dance settings, stimulant of those who have ever used ecstasy may, the possibility of long-term impairment for a time, take it once a week or more linked to regular or ‘binge’ use of drugs such as ecstasy (usually (see Graph 2). During more intense, amphetamine-type stimulants. containing MDMA), cocaine and amphetamines are common. Hallucinogenic Graph 1 — Lifetime prevalence of ecstasy use drugs and plants and % ‘poppers’ (Amyl Nitrate) are 90 Targeted also taken for ‘fun’. Cannabis, clubbers 80 sedatives, hypnotic drugs and 70 tranquillisers are sometimes Young adults in used in conjunction with 60 general recreational drugs. population 50 The resolutions adopted by the EU 40 Council under the Spanish Presidency, 30 as well as those taken in 2002, at the 20 prompting of some EU Member States, by the Commission on 10 Narcotic Drugs of the United Nations, 0 have given the political impetus for Athens, Greece, Amsterdam Netherlands France, France, London UK, clubbers young (1998) (1998) techo young (1997) young developing action aimed at (2001) adults (1999) adults adults (1998) (1999) (1998) preventing recreational use of drugs NB: in the targeted survey n = range 100-986. both at regional and international See the Annual report: ‘Drug situation of young people’ for source details. levels. November–December 2002 set of safe-clubbing guidelines. Protocols Graph 2 — Frequency of ecstasy use among those between prevention teams and club who had ever used ecstasy in nine EU cities managers in some EU countries have % already been developed. Policy-makers have the means to enforce the 30 implementation of such guidelines within 25 the leisure industry, as positive experiences in Italy show. 20 Drugs and road traffic accidents is 15 another major concern. In areas with major concentrations of dance venues, 10 this has led to measures such as offering 5 public transport to and from events. 0 not any <12 times once a several once a several every day more a year month times a week times a 6. Action at EU level month week NB: n = 897 individuals who had ever used ecstasy in nine EU cities. In 2002, a resolution of the Council and Source: adapted from Calafat, A., 2001, SONAR/Irefrea project risk and control. of the representatives of the Member States on the prevention of the recreational use of drugs (8) summarised the points above and invited Member Scientific evidence on the long-term risks impression that drug use is more States to: of MDMA is inconclusive. However, common than it is, and little is known policy-makers are mindful of the example about the impact of such often • consider the importance of interactive of smoking and the failure to challenge unfocused and impersonal methods. and well-targeted information and the powerful interests of the tobacco Information is sometimes provided with awareness strategies aimed at the industry on the long-term risks of personalised interventions at discotheques public in general and young people in cigarettes.