Trimbos-instituut
Abstract
<p>In 2008-2009, the Party survey (Feestmeter) examined substance use among attendees at eleven national and regionally organised large scale parties in the Netherlands (Van der Poel et al. 2010). In the same survey, substance use among clubbers and disco-goers was studied in large and medium-sized municipalities in five regions of the Netherlands: North (Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe), East (Gelderland and Overijssel), Central (Utrecht, Flevoland), West (North- and South-Holland), and South (North-Brabant, Zeeland, Limburg). (Potential) respondents of 15 to 35 years were recruited on the spot and asked to answer a limited set of questions on their substance use in the past month (short questionnaire). They were then asked to complete a longer questionnaire (on paper or through the internet) the day after the party night. </p><p>A total of 4,842 partygoers completed the short questionnaire and 920 completed the longer questionnaire. For clubs and discotheques these figures were 10,945 and 2,044 respectively. Although the response rate was fairly low (19% for both settings), it is not uncommon for research in this type of setting. In order to have some idea about a selective response, a comparison was made between population characteristics and prevalence rates of substance use based on the short questionnaire (SQ) with those from the longer questionnaire (LQ). In general, substance use was somewhat lower among the LQ sample compared to the SQ sample. These differences were largely explained by a selective gender response: more females completed the long questionnaire compared to the short one (53% versus 44% for parties and 53% versus 42% for clubs/discotheques). Party visitors were on average older than club visitors (24 and 22 years, respectively). Data from the 'long' questionnaire was used for further analysis.</p><p>In general, both alcohol and tobacco use did not differ much between settings, but (recreational) drug use appreciably higher among party-goers compared to club attendees. The typical street drugs heroin and crack cocaine were hardly use in both settings. Moreover, drug use among club attendees was generally higher in the western region of the country, followed by the Central and South regions. For amphetamine, differences between regions were smaller compared to those for cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis. </p><p>Drug use was on average highest at parties, but rates varied strongly between different parties. To some extent this variation is associated with music preference.</p><p>Comparing last year prevalence rates of substance use with those among 15-34 year olds in the 2005 population survey, it is clear that substance use is high among attendees of parties and clubs. For example, last year prevalence of cannabis use is 9.5% among the general population of 15-34 years compared to 39% and 46% among visitors of clubs and parties, respectively. For ecstasy these figures are 3%, 16% and 31%, respectively.</p>
