NCJ Number
210989
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 40 Issue: 9-10 Dated: 2005 Pages: 1503-1523
Date Published
2005
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to present a preliminary epidemiologic typology of young adults who attend raves in the United States, describing five main subgroups of young adults who may be found at raves.
Abstract
Young people who attend raves have been associated with the use of ecstasy since the late 1980s. Due to media depictions, many parents and educators tend to perceive ravers as a homogenous group in terms of their social behaviors, philosophy, appearance, and drug-use pattern. However, there is reason to believe that they are not a homogenous group in terms of their drug use practices. Participants included 36 young adults who participated in the Young Adult Health Study which explored the use of ecstasy and other club drugs in relation to HIV/STD sexual behaviors. The findings are preliminary and are limited by the relatively small sample. Findings suggest the existence of five main subgroups in attendance at raves: Chemi-Kids, Candy Kids, non-affiliated Party Kids, Junglists, and Old School Ravers, differing in their musical taste, philosophy, style of clothing worn, amount of time in the rave subculture and the patterns of drug use. This typology can assist in the development of communication strategies necessary for successful prevention activities among some categories of ecstasy users. References