Profile and correlates of colorimetric reagent kit use among people who use ecstasy/MDMA and other illegal stimulants in Australia

Amy Peacock; Daisy Gibbs; Olivia Price; Monica J Barratt; Nadine Ezard; Rachel Sutherland; Penelope L Hill; Jodie Grigg; Simon Lenton; Robert Page; Caroline Salom; Caitlin Hughes; Raimondo Bruno

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103334

Profile and correlates of colorimetric reagent kit use among people who use ecstasy/MDMA and other illegal stimulants in Australia

Int J Drug Policy. 2021 Nov:97:103334. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103334. Epub 2021 Jul 7.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. Electronic address: Amy.Peacock@unsw.edu.au.
² National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
³ Social and Global Studies Centre and Digital Ethnography Research Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs, Sydney, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
⁵ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs, Sydney, Australia; Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁶ National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
⁷ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
⁸ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
⁹ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
¹⁰ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Crime Policy and Research, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
¹¹ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.

PMID: 34246017
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103334

Abstract

Background: Colorimetric reagent kits can provide information about the compounds present in drug samples. This study aimed to identify patterns and correlates of colorimetric reagent kit use, as well as behavioural outcomes of testing, amongst people who use illegal stimulants in a context that lacks permanent government-sanctioned drug checking services.

Methods: Australians residing in capital cities who reported regularly using ecstasy/MDMA and/or other illegal stimulants ≥monthly in the past six months were recruited via social media and word-of-mouth from April-July 2019 (N = 792). Participants were asked about testing the contents and/or purity of illegal drugs, and features of last colorimetric reagent kit use. Logistic regression identified correlates of last using a kit (referent: no use of drug checking technology to test drug contents/purity in the past year).

Results: Over one-third (36%) reported testing drug contents and/or purity; of this group, 86% had last used a colorimetric reagent kit. On the last occasion, 52% reported someone else had conducted testing; 58% said testing occurred <24 h before planned drug use; and 24% reported testing for quantity of a substance. Correlates of drug checking comprised: being younger, male, past six-month use of new psychoactive substances, accessing community-based health services for alcohol or other drug reasons, selling drugs for cash profit, obtaining information from peers who had tried the drug, and searching online for reports of the drug by stamp/appearance. The majority (84%) tested a substance they had been sold and/or given as MDMA; of these, 87% detected MDMA. Of those who expected and detected MDMA, 29% and 11% reported results to their peers and dealer, respectively.

Conclusion: People who use ecstasy/MDMA and/or other illegal stimulants seek out objective information about substance contents. In countries that lack permanent government-sanctioned drug checking services, it is important to acknowledge that people already engage in drug checking but with suboptimal technologies and without tailored specialist advice and education.

Keywords: Colorimetric reagent kit; Drug checking; Ecstasy; Harm reduction; MDMA; Pill testing; Stimulants.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia / epidemiology
Colorimetry
Humans
Illicit Drugs*
Indicators and Reagents
Male
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine*

Substances

Illicit Drugs
Indicators and Reagents
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine