The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66119

Angela T. Johnson, MA, CHES, M. Christine Nagy, PhD, Deidre Leaver-Dunn, PhD, ATC, Antonia S. Mead, MS, CHES, and Stephen Nagy, PhD. Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, P.O. Box 870311, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, (205) 348-1292, johns120@bama.ua.edu

The purpose of this study is to 1) describe rave drug use prevalence and 2) to examine ethnic and gender profiles of rave drug usage in a college population. More than 400 students provided usable data; 68% were Caucasian and 23% were African American. A 21-item questionnaire was administered to students at four universities in the Southeast. Frequency distributions indicate that 62% of students surveyed have used at least one of the “rave” drugs. Overall, Caucasian males had higher “rave” drug utilization rates. Male rates for Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, LSD, Methamphetamines, Ketamine, and Rohypnol were 23%, 13%, 20%, 23%, 9%, and 11% respectively. Caucasian female utilization rates were higher than both African American males and females. Utilization rates were 21%, 8%, 17%, 9%, 8%, and 6% respectively for Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, LSD, Methamphetamines, Ketamine, and Rohypnol. African American male utilization rates for Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, LSD, Methamphetamines, Ketamine, and Rohypnol were 6%, 2%, 0%, 0%, 0%, and 4% respectively. African American females reported not having used any of the aforementioned “rave” drugs. Findings from this study may be used to assist college administrators and program planners to better implement and tailor preventive substance use interventions for college students.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, conference attendees will:
• gain insights about the prevalence of “rave” drug use among college students
• understand that utilization rates of the different “rave” drugs vary by gender and ethnicity
• be able to identify that student characteristics of “rave” drug use should be considered when developing and tailoring prevention programs that target “rave” drug use on college campuses.

Keywords: Drug Use, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.