330470
More than just alcohol: Polysubstance use at parties attended by 15-20 year olds
Methods. In 2014, an address-based sample of 15-20 year olds in 24 communities across the United States was invited to participate in a web-based survey. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to identify individual demographic and party-level correlates of party type; defined as “alcohol-only,” “marijuana-alcohol,” and “polysubstance” (alcohol, marijuana, prescription, and other illicit drugs), based on respondent observation of drug use at the last party attended.
Results. A total of 568 respondents out of 977 reported ever attending a party where alcohol was consumed. 64.4% of these parties were “alcohol-only,” 26.2% “marijuana-alcohol,” and 8.5% “polysubstance.” Individual demographics were not associated with party type, with the exception of non-Hispanics being more likely to report attendance at a “polysubstance” party compared to an “alcohol-only” party. The majority of attendees were under 21 years of age at both “marijuana-alcohol” and “polysubstance” parties compared to “alcohol-only.” Majority of attendees at “marijuana-alcohol” parties, compared to “alcohol-only,” were males. Parties with “polysubstance” drug use were larger than “alcohol-only” and “marijuana-alcohol” parties.
Conclusion. One-third of parties attended by 15-20 year olds had marijuana and illicit drug use in addition to alcohol consumption. Findings highlight the need for prevention efforts targeting polysubstance use at parties.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policySocial and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify predictors of alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug use at parties attended by youth and young adults.
Discuss strategies to prevent alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug use at parties.
Keyword(s): Adolescents, Drug Abuse
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Ms. Egan is a Research Associate at Wake Forest School of Medicine and a Doctoral Student at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research focuses on the prevention of prescription drug, alcohol, and other illicit drug use among youth and young adults. She is involved with a number of research studies in the areas of youth and young adult access to- and use of alcohol, prescription drugs, tobacco, and other illicit drugs.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.