Psychoactive substance use and drug checking practices among participants at electronic dance music events in Ukraine
Drugs, Habits and Social Policy
ISSN: 2752-6739
Article publication date: 24 November 2022
Issue publication date: 7 December 2022
Abstract
Purpose
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has previously examined the use of psychoactive substances (PASs) at electronic dance music (EDM) events in Ukraine. Addressing this gap in the research literature, this study aims to: describe the recreational drug scene associated with Ukrainian EDM culture; identify clusters of EDM participants who use PAS, based on their drug use patterns; and assess the uptake of drug checking and investigate associations between drug checking and subsequent drug-related behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
A series of cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2021 (N = 1,307) among EDM festival participants in Ukraine. The authors performed cluster analysis to identify distinct profiles of PAS users. Trends in drug checking were analysed based on cross-sectional surveys conducted at one recurring festival in 2018 (N = 99), 2019 (N = 195) and 2021 (N = 237).
Findings
The substances most often used at EDM events were 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (37%), amphetamine (16%), lysergic acid diethylamide (11%) and cocaine (9%). Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of participants who reported to have ever tested their drugs has increased from 2% to 26% (p < 0.001). Unexpected or inconclusive test results led to a significantly lower chances of drug consumption (p = 0.003). The authors identified three distinct clusters of PAS users among the EDM festival attendees in Ukraine.
Originality/value
This study will inform the development of harm reduction interventions tailored to various subgroups of recreational PAS users taking into account gender-specific patterns of use suggested by the authors’ cluster analysis. Increased availability of drug checking is crucial to reduce the risks of drug-related harm associated with the consumption of mis-sold, mislabeled and/or adulterated substances.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The study team would like to express their sincere gratitude to the vibrant and diverse community of Ukrainian ravers for their genuine interest and enthusiastic participation in the study. The work would not be possible without the hospitality and support of festival organisers as well as the Drugstore project staff and volunteers involved in the conceptualisation of the study and the collection of data. The authors extend special thanks to Yuliia Arabska for data entry and to John King Rayburn for reviewing and editing the manuscript. Elton John AIDS Foundation; Innovative HIV and Harm Reduction Solutions for Underserved Segments of Key and Bridge Populations in Ukraine; Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; UKR-C-AUA.
Citation
Kushakov, V., Dvoriak, V., Morozova, O., Azbel, L. and Sergienko, G. (2022), "Psychoactive substance use and drug checking practices among participants at electronic dance music events in Ukraine", Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 244-257. https://doi.org/10.1108/DHS-10-2022-0035
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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