INCREASING ECSTASY USE AMONG GLASGOW DRUG INJECTORS

Although Ecstasy [Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)] is known to ha ve adverse health consequences, research has focused exclusively on or al use. An opportunity to determine the prevalence of Ecstasy use amon g drug injectors was afforded by an ongoing study of HIV related risk behaviour among this population in Glasgow. Five hundred plus injector s per annum were questioned between 1990-1992 on their use of Ecstasy. The proportion of injectors using Ecstasy increased from 4.8% in 1990 to 28.9% in 1992 while the proportion who reported injecting Ecstasy increased from 0.6% to 4.7%. The emergence of injecting as a means of administering Ecstasy adds a new dimension to the growing debate on ho w to control drugs, abuse of which has hitherto been largely confined to oral usage.