Examining the Prevalence and Perceived Harm of Ecstasy and Other Drug Use Among Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

ABSTRACT To date, few studies have examined the use of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or “ecstasy”) among criminal populations. In the current study, self-report drug use data and urine specimens were collected from 86 male juvenile offenders surveyed through Maryland's Offender Population Urinalysis Screening (OPUS) Program. Prevalence estimates of ecstasy use were generated and associations between ecstasy use, demographic characteristics, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use were explored. Nineteen percent of the sample reported lifetime ecstasy use, 14% within the past 12 months, and 8% within the past 30 days. One percent of the sample reported ecstasy use in the two days preceding the interview, and none tested positive for MDMA via urinalysis. Compared to non-users, past-year ecstasy users were significantly more likely to be white and to have used alcohol, marijuana, powder cocaine, and heroin within the 12 months preceding the interview. The use of marijuana once or twice and regularly was associated with the least amount of risk of physical and/or psychological harm for both the past-year ecstasy users and the non-users in the sample. Policy implications are discussed.