Correlates of Ecstasy Use among Students Surveyed through the 1997 College Alcohol Study

Abstract

Anecdotal reports have suggested that the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine (MDMA or “ecstasy”) is a growing problem across the United States, primarily among college students and rave attendees. To assess this contention, the drug-using behaviors of 14,520 college students were examined with data collected through the 1997 College Alcohol Study (CAS). Prevalence estimates of ecstasy use were generated and associations between ecstasy use, demographic characteristics, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use were explored. Six percent of the sample reported lifetime ecstasy use, 3 percent reported use within the past 12 months, and 1 percent reported use within the past 30 days. Compared to non-users, 12-month ecstasy users were significantly more likely to be white, to be a member of a fraternity/sorority, and to have used all other drugs of abuse during the past 12 months. Implications for these findings are discussed.