Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Use of ecstasy and other psychoactive substances among school-attending adolescents in Taiwan: national surveys 2004–2006

Authors: Wei J Chen, Tsung-Chieh Fu, Te-Tien Ting, Wei-Lun Huang, Guang-Mang Tang, Chuhsing Kate Hsiao, Chuan-Yu Chen

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

With the backdrop of a global ecstasy epidemic, this study sought to examine the trend, correlates, and onset sequence of ecstasy use among adolescents in Taiwan, where a well-established gateway drug such as marijuana is much less popular.

Methods

A multistage probability survey of school-attending adolescents in grades 7, 9, 10, and 12, aged 11–19 years, was conducted in 2004, 2005, and 2006. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire elicited response rates ranging from 94.3% to 96.6%. The sample sizes were 18232 respondents in 2004, 17986 in 2005, and 17864 in 2006.

Results

In terms of lifetime prevalence and incidence, ecstasy and ketamine by and large appeared as the first and second commonly used illegal drugs, respectively, among middle (grades 7 and 9) and high school students (grades 10 and 12) during the 3-year survey period; however, this order was reversed in the middle school-aged students starting in 2006. Having sexual experience, tobacco use, and betel nut use were factors consistently associated with the onset of ecstasy use across years. The majority of ecstasy users had been involved in polydrug use, such as the use of ketamine (41.4%–53.5%), marijuana (12.7%–18.7%), and methamphetamine (4.2%–9.5%).

Conclusion

From 2004 to 2006, a decline was noted in the prevalence and incidence rate of ecstasy, a leading illegal drug used by school-attending adolescents in Taiwan since the early 2000s. The emerging ketamine use trend may warrant more attention in the future.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Green AR, Mechan AO, Elliott JM, O'Shea E, Colado MI: The pharmacology and clinical pharmacology of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy"). Pharmacol Rev. 2003, 55: 463-508. 10.1124/pr.55.3.3.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Pedersen W, Skrondal A: Ecstasy and new patterns of drug use: a normal population study. Addiction. 1999, 94: 1695-1706. 10.1046/j.1360-0443.1999.941116957.x.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Strote J, Lee JE, Wechsler H: Increasing MDMA use among college students: results of a national survey. J Adolesc Health. 2002, 30: 64-72. 10.1016/S1054-139X(01)00315-9.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Boyd CJ, McCabe SE, d'Arcy H: Ecstasy use among college undergraduates: gender, race and sexual identity. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2003, 24: 209-215. 10.1016/S0740-5472(03)00025-4.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Gross SR, Barrett SP, Shestowsky JS, Pihl RO: Ecstasy and drug consumption patterns: a Canadian rave population study. Can J Psychiatry. 2002, 47: 546-551.PubMed
6.
Lenton S, Boys A, Norcross K: Raves, drugs and experience: drug use by a sample of people who attend raves in Western Australia. Addiction. 1997, 92: 1327-1337. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1997.tb02851.x.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Wilkins C, Bhatta K, Pledger M, Casswell S: Ecstasy use in New Zealand: findings from the 1998 and 2001 National Drug Surveys. N Z Med J. 2003, 116: U383-PubMed
8.
Riley SC, James C, Gregory D, Dingle H, Cadger M: Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland. Addiction. 2001, 96: 1035-1047. 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.967103513.x.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Bellis MA, Hughes K, Bennett A, Thomson R: The role of an international nightlife resort in the proliferation of recreational drugs. Addiction. 2003, 98: 1713-1721. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2003.00554.x.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Lua AC, Lin HR, Tseng YT, Hu AR, Yeh PC: Profiles of urine samples from participants at rave party in Taiwan: prevalence of ketamine and MDMA abuse. Forensic Sci Int. 2003, 136: 47-51. 10.1016/S0379-0738(03)00261-5.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Joe Laidler KA: The rise of club drugs in a heroin society: the case of Hong Kong. Subst Use Misuse. 2005, 40: 1257-1278. 10.1081/JA-200066788.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Corapcioglu A, Ogel K: Factors associated with Ecstasy use in Turkish students. Addiction. 2004, 99: 67-76. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00572.x.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Pluddemann A, Parry CD, Myers B, Bhana A: Ecstasy use in South Africa: findings from the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) project (January 1997–December 2001). Subst Use Misuse. 2004, 39: 87-105. 10.1081/JA-120027767.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Martins SS, Mazzotti G, Chilcoat HD: Trends in ecstasy use in the United States from 1995 to 2001: comparison with marijuana users and association with other drug use. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2005, 13: 244-252. 10.1037/1064-1297.13.3.244.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Volkow ND, Li TK: Drug addiction: the neurobiology of behaviour gone awry. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2004, 5: 963-970. 10.1038/nrn1539.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Solowij N, Hall W, Lee N: Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of 'Ecstacy' users and their experiences with the drug. Br J Addict. 1992, 87: 1161-1172. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1992.tb02003.x.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Williamson S, Gossop M, Powis B, Griffiths P, Fountain J, Strang J: Adverse effects of stimulant drugs in a community sample of drug users. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1997, 44: 87-94. 10.1016/S0376-8716(96)01324-5.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Topp L, Hando J, Dillon P, Roche A, Solowij N: Ecstasy use in Australia: patterns of use and associated harm. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1999, 55: 105-115. 10.1016/S0376-8716(99)00002-2.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Hopper JW, Su Z, Looby AR, Ryan ET, Penetar DM, Palmer CM, Lukas SE: Incidence and patterns of polydrug use and craving for ecstasy in regular ecstasy users: an ecological momentary assessment study. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2006, 85: 221-235. 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.04.012.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Yen C-F, Hsu S-Y, Cheng C-P: Polysubstance use and its correlates in adolescent ecstasy users in Taiwan. Addict Behav. 2007, 32: 2286-2291. 10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.01.022.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Winstock AR, Griffiths P, Stewart D: Drugs and the dance music scene: a survey of current drug use patterns among a sample of dance music enthusiasts in the UK. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2001, 64: 9-17. 10.1016/S0376-8716(00)00215-5.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Arria AM, Yacoubian GS, Fost E, Wish ED: The pediatric forum: ecstasy use among club rave attendees. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002, 156: 295-296.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Klitzman RL, Greenberg JD, Pollack LM, Dolezal C: MDMA ('ecstasy') use, and its association with high risk behaviors, mental health, and other factors among gay/bisexual men in New York City. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2002, 66: 115-125. 10.1016/S0376-8716(01)00189-2.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Schifano F, Oyefeso A, Corkery J, Cobain K, Jambert-Gray R, Martinotti G, Ghodse AH: Death rates from ecstasy (MDMA, MDA) and polydrug use in England and Wales 1996–2002. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2003, 18: 519-524. 10.1002/hup.528.CrossRefPubMed
25.
von Sydow K, Lieb R, Pfister H, Hofler M, Wittchen HU: Use, abuse and dependence of ecstasy and related drugs in adolescents and young adults-a transient phenomenon? Results from a longitudinal community study. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2002, 66: 147-159. 10.1016/S0376-8716(01)00195-8.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Bobes J, Saiz PA, Gonzalez MP, Bascaran MT, Bousono M, Ricaurte GA, McCann UD: Use of MDMA and other illicit drugs by young adult males in northern Spain. A five-year study. Eur Addict Res. 2002, 8: 147-154. 10.1159/000059385.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Johnston LD, O'Malley PM, Bachman JG, Schulenberg JE: Monitoring the Future national results on adolescent drug use: Overview of key findings, 2006 (NIH Publication No. 07-6202). 2007, Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse
28.
Wu LT, Schlenger WE, Galvin DM: Concurrent use of methamphetamine, MDMA, LSD, ketamine, GHB, and flunitrazepam among American youths. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2006, 84: 102-113. 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.01.002.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
29.
Degenhardt L, Barker B, Topp L: Patterns of ecstasy use in Australia: findings from a national household survey. Addiction. 2004, 99: 187-195. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2003.00622.x.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Chou P, Liou MY, Lai MY, Hsiao ML, Chang HJ: Time trend of substance use among adolescent students in Taiwan, 1991–1996. J Formos Med Assoc. 1999, 98: 827-831.PubMed
31.
Yang MS, Yang MJ, Liu YH, Ko YC: Prevalence and related risk factors of licit and illicit substances use by adolescent students in southern Taiwan. Public Health. 1998, 112: 347-352. 10.1016/S0033-3506(98)00268-6.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Kandel DB: Does marijuana use cause the use of other drugs?. JAMA. 2003, 289: 482-483. 10.1001/jama.289.4.482.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Li JH: Brief history and current status of drug abuse in Taiwan. Drug Abuse: 2001; Taipei, Taiwan. Edited by: Li JH. 2001, National Bureau of Controlled Drugs, Department of Health, 8-21.
34.
Wang YC, Lee CM, Lew-Ting CY, Hsiao CK, Chen DR, Chen WJ: Survey of substance use among high school students in Taipei: web-based questionnaire versus paper-and-pencil questionnaire. J Adolesc Health. 2005, 37: 289-295. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.03.017.CrossRefPubMed
35.
Chou LC, Ho CY, Chen CY, Chen WJ: Truancy and illicit drug use among adolescents surveyed via street outreach. Addict Behav. 2006, 31: 149-154. 10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.04.011.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Chen C-Y, Storr CL, Tang G-M, Huang S-L, Hsiao CK, Chen WJ: Early alcohol experiences and adolescent mental health: a population-based study in Taiwan. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008, 95: 209-218. 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.01.018.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Chen C-Y, Tang G-M, Huang S-L, Lee C-M, Lew-Ting C-Y, Hsiao CK, Chen D-R, Chen WJ: Transition from alcohol to other drugs among adolescents in Taiwan: the first drinking context matters. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2008, 69: 378-387.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Liu CY, Hung YT, Chuang YL, Chen YJ, Weng WS, Liu JS, Liang KY: Incorporating development stratification of Taiwan townships into sampling design of large scale health interview survey. J Health Manag. 2006, 4: 1-22.
39.
Chu NS: Effects of betel chewing on the central and autonomic nervous systems. J Biomed Sci. 2001, 8: 229-236. 10.1007/BF02256596.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Lee ES, Forthofer RN: Analyzing Complex Survey Data. 2005, Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications Inc
41.
Bauman A, Phongsavan P: Epidemiology of substance use in adolescence: prevalence, trends and policy implication. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1999, 55: 187-207. 10.1016/S0376-8716(99)00016-2.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Chiang S-C, Chen S-J, Sun H-J, Chan H-Y, Chen W: Heroin use among youths incarcerated for illicit drug use: psychosocial environment, substance use history, psychiatric comorbidity, and route of administration. Am J Addict. 2006, 15: 233-241. 10.1080/10550490600626473.CrossRefPubMed
43.
44.
Curran HV, Morgan C: Cognitive, dissociative and psychotogenic effects of ketamine in recreational users on the night of drug use and 3 days later. Addiction. 2000, 95: 575-590. 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2000.9545759.x.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Dillon P, Copeland J, Jansen K: Patterns of use and harms associated with non-medical ketamine use. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2003, 69: 23-28. 10.1016/S0376-8716(02)00243-0.CrossRefPubMed
46.
Yamaguchi K, Kandel DB: Patterns of drug use from adolescence to young adulthood: III. Predictors of progression. Am J Public Health. 1984, 74: 673-681. 10.2105/AJPH.74.7.673.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
47.
Wagner FA, Anthony JC: Into the world of illegal drug use: exposure opportunity and other mechanisms linking the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine. Am J Epidemiol. 2002, 155: 918-925. 10.1093/aje/155.10.918.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Use of ecstasy and other psychoactive substances among school-attending adolescents in Taiwan: national surveys 2004–2006
Authors
Wei J Chen
Tsung-Chieh Fu
Te-Tien Ting
Wei-Lun Huang
Guang-Mang Tang
Chuhsing Kate Hsiao
Chuan-Yu Chen
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-9-27

Other articles of this Issue 1/2009

BMC Public Health 1/2009 Go to the issue

Research article

Improvements in readiness to change and drinking in primary care patients with unhealthy alcohol use: a prospective study

Research article

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Zambia: implementing efficacious ARV regimens in primary health centers

Research article

Generational status and duration of residence predict diabetes prevalence among Latinos: the California Men's Health Study

Research article

The joint influence of area income, income inequality, and immigrant density on adverse birth outcomes: a population-based study

Study protocol

Repeat infection with Chlamydia trachomatis: a prospective cohort study from an STI-clinic in Stockholm

Research article

Using vital statistics to estimate the population-level impact of osteoporotic fractures on mortality based on death certificates, with an application to France (2000-2004)