Ecstasy and cocaine: Patterns of use among prime age individuals in Amsterdam

Abstract

This paper uses information about prime age individuals living in Amsterdam to study the patterns of use of ecstasy and cocaine. The information was collected in surveys in 1994, 1997 and 2001. The analysis shows that the use of ecstasy and cocaine is mainly influenced by calendar year, family situation, and parental cannabis use. Individuals that are more likely to use cocaine are also more likely to use ecstacy. The entrance of ecstasy in the Amsterdam drugs market in the course of the 1990s did not reduce the use of cocaine.