Ecstasy: motives for use and non-use

Why do some young people take ecstasy? And why do others not take it, even in social settings where a lot of ecstasy is used? This chapter reports preliminary findings from two studies in Amsterdam. The first involved 107 recent ecstasy users, who reported using the drug primarily for its pleasurable, stimulant and communication-enhancing effects, and hardly at all because of escapism or peer pressure. The second study investigated motives for not taking ecstasy. It is part of an ongoing longitudinal study of young people who had never taken ecstasy when they entered the study, but who intended to take it in the near future. Of the 84 respondents who were in the study throughout, 27 had taken their first ecstasy within one year ("future users"), whilst 57 were "persistent non-users". At baseline, the latter were more likely to report they (1) did not feel the need for a consciousness-altering drug, (2) believed ecstasy could harm their body, and (3) were deterred by negative media reports. The authors caution nonetheless that fear-based drug education and media reports can have counterproductive effects.