Publication Detail

Grigg, J., Barratt, M., J. and Lenton, S. (2018). Double dropping down under: Correlates of simultaneous consumption of two ecstasy pills in a sample of Australian outdoor music festival attendees. Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (7), pp. 851-855. doi:10.1111/dar.12843 [RJ1354] View web page

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The term ‘double dropping’ refers to a person consuming two drugs simultaneously, typically two ecstasy pills. This practice has been reported in numerous countries, including Australia. However, the prevalence and correlates of double dropping among ecstasy users is unknown. While double dropping could be considered a risk behaviour in itself, shifting trends in current drug markets pose additional health risks. This paper aims to investigate how common double dropping was in a sample of Australian festival-goers who used ecstasy at the last festival they attended and to explore the correlates of this practice.

DESIGN AND METHODS: A larger anonymous online survey was completed by almost 2000 Australian festival-goers. The subsample used in the analyses for this paper (n=777) was 59% male and had a median age of 20 (IQR=19-23).

RESULTS: Almost half (48%) of respondents in the sample who used ecstasy pills reported double dropping in association with the last festival attended. Multivariable logistic regression found respondents who were younger, male, more frequent ecstasy users, more frequent festival-goers, had a preference for electronic dance music, attended a multi-day festival and used ecstasy in pill form were more likely to report double dropping.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Double dropping was a commonly reported practice among festival-goers in this purposive sample. While this practice may be reflective of historically low-dose ecstasy pills in Australia, the changing contexts of NPS and ecstasy purity may warrant consideration of drug checking services which could help festival-goers make more informed decisions about drug dosage.

Name & Contact Details Role Research Program Location
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Dr Jodie Grigg
Tel: 61 (0)8 9266 1618
j.grigg@curtin.edu.au
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Research Associate

Harm reduction policy and strategies

Perth

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Professor Simon Lenton
Tel: 61 (0)8 9266 1603
s.lenton@curtin.edu.au
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Director

Harm reduction policy and strategies

Perth