Ecstasy Use

In their study, Strote, Lee and Wechsler examined the patterns of ecstasy use among college students and to determine behaviors, patterns, characteristics and interests of ecstasy users.  The researchers analyzed data from a Harvard study of over 14,000 college students from 119 United States colleges regarding ecstasy use. The study took place between the years of 1997 and 1999.  Increased use of ecstasy in a year was looked at and lifestyle and behaviors of ecstasy users were examined. The Results showed that during those years, ecstasy use rose from 2.8% to 4.7% among those sampled.  There were several behaviors associated with ecstasy users as well. For example, ecstasy users were more likely to smoke marijuana, binge-drink, have more sex and smoke cigarettes. Not surprising, ecstasy users were more likely to think parties and art were important and spend less time studying. Ecstasy users were more likely to think of religion as not important and were more social. A surprising result from the study was that compared to other illicit drug users, ecstasy users did not underachieve academically and were content with their education experience. Ecstasy use among college students has increased during the past decade and I am sure it has continued to grow in the decade or so since this study. I liked this study because I think it is important to study the behaviors of drug users  so to better understand why people use certain drugs and how to identify the high-risk behaviors that lead to drug abuse.