Participants sought for Ecstasy study

University of Queensland researchers are seeking 100 Gold Coast and Brisbane residents who have used the drug Ecstasy to take part in a confidential survey of users' experiences.

The survey is being conducted by researchers at the University's Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre (QADREC).

It is part of a larger study of 400 users of Ecstasy being conducted in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, in conjunction with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales.

Researcher Nicole Lee said MDMA - commonly known as Ecstasy - recently had been attracting increasing media and community attention.

'The number of suspected Ecstasy-related deaths and illnesses recently reported in Australia has created widespread concern about its use,' she said.

'But we know relatively little about who uses it, when and where, and how widespread use may be.

'A study of users in Sydney in the early 1990s examined these issues, but little work has been done since. Anecdotal reports suggest that the pattern of use may have changed since then, with a wider diversity of users.'

Ms Lee said the study would investigate the patterns, prevalence and mode of use, changes in pattern of use over time, users' experiences with the drug's effects and side effects, and their perceptions of the drug including personal and legal issues.

'We will also be asking about other party drugs,' Ms Lee said.

'We will conduct confidential interviews in neutral and convenient settings such as coffee shops, and no personally-identifying information such as names and addresses will be recorded. The interviews, which are relaxed and friendly, will take about one to two hours.'

Ms Lee said participants would be paid $30 for out-of-pocket expenses.

To take part, contact Ms Lee (telephone 07 3365 5456).