Partnership Attitude Tracking Study

1
Partnership for a Drug-Free America

• Partnership Attitude Tracking Study
• Launch of Ecstasy Campaign

2
Partnership Attitude Tracking Study

• National sample of teens parents
• Close to 7000 teenagers, 12 to 18 years old
• 14th wave of PATS conducted since 1985
• Attitudes use

3
Partnership Attitude Tracking Study

• Findings
• Teen drug use down and stable since 1997
• Declines in inhalants, alcohol, tobacco
• One disturbing exception

4
Ecstasy

• MDMA or 3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine
• Part hallucinogen, part amphetamine. Schedule I
• Intense serotonin release in the brain
• Growing body of evidence neurotoxic
• Powerful high real danger Increased body temp,
  dehydration, impact on organs, heart, etc.

5
Ecstasy

• 80 of Ecstasy in US made in Netherlands
• Israeli Russian organized crime rings
• 50-cents per tab to manufacture
• US retail 10 to 40 tab
• Seizures 1998 750,000 tabs
• 2000 9.3 million

6
Ecstasy

• The hug drug, love drug, X, XTC
• From rave scene to mainstream
• 150 brands identified by DEA
• The power of word-of-mouth and/or buzz
  marketing

7
New Research into Ecstasy Different drugs,
different perceived risk

• Heroin
• Crack
• Cocaine
• LSD
• Meth
• Ecstasy
• Inhalants
• Marijuana

8
Attitudes Drive Behavior

• Low perception of risk
• Widespread availability of a drug

9
New, Disturbing DataTeen Ecstasy Use


71
Partnership Attitude Tracking Study. Lifetime use
measure. significant difference vs. 1998 at
.05 level significant difference vs. 2000 at
.05 level
10
Teen Drug Use
Ecstasy Meth LSD Cocaine/Crack Heroin
12
11
10
9
4
2001 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study
lifetime usage among 12- to 18-year-olds
11
The Ecstasy Market
Tried Ecstasy
At Risk for X Use
Non-Triers
Source Partnership Ecstasy Research, 2001 400
teens 14 to 18. Discriminant Function Analysis
12
The Ecstasy Market
Tried Ecstasy
At Risk for X Use
Non-Triers

2.6 Million more teens
Source Partnership Ecstasy Research, 2001 400
teens 14 to 18. Discriminant Function Analysis
13
New Research into Ecstasy

• Who are the likely users ?
• 16 to 17 year olds
• Boys, more so than girls
• Achievers underachievers
• Teens who see benefits

14
Frightening Parallels Cocaine

• Widespread social acceptance
• Intensively pleasurable high
• Low perceived risk
• Strong word-of-mouth marketing
• Few obvious long-term risks

15
Frightening Parallels Cocaine

• Ecstasy
• The rave generations cocaine

16
John Walters, DirectorOffice of National Drug
Control Policy
17
Ecstasy Education Campaign
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
(No Transcript)
21
(No Transcript)
22
(No Transcript)
23
(No Transcript)
24
The People Behind the Advertising
25
Partnership for a Drug-Free America

• Partnership Attitude Tracking Study
• Launch of Ecstasy Campaign