Correlates of Ecstasy use among tenth graders surveyed through monitoring the future

Abstract

Media reports have suggested that the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy") is a prodigious problem among youth in the United States. Unfortunately, little scientific evidence exists to support this contention. In the current study, the drug-using behaviors of 3,376 10th graders are examined with data collected through the 1999 Monitoring the Future (MTF) project. Prevalence estimates of Ecstasy use are generated and associations between Ecstasy use, demographic characteristics, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use are explored. Seven percent of the sample reported lifetime Ecstasy use, 5% reported use within the past 12 months, and 2% reported use within the 30 days preceding the interview. Compared to nonusers, 12-month Ecstasy users were significantly more likely to be White, to have less supervision after school, and to have used all other drugs of abuse during the 12 months preceding the interview. Implications for these findings are discussed.