MDMA Use by Paris Medical Students: Prevalence and Characteristics
Substance Use & Misuse – October 24, 2020
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A striking 21.5% of French medical students have experimented with MDMA, according to a survey of 592 participants. This use is predominantly associated with males, older students, and those who have left home or belong to fraternities. Most users (90.7%) consume MDMA at clubs or festivals, often alongside alcohol (90.6%) and cannabis (42.0%). Notably, 40.9% of users met criteria for MDMA use disorder, highlighting a significant concern for public health strategies aimed at prevention and harm reduction in substance use among youth.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) is increasing being used by youth in Europe and in France, but characteristics of its use are unknown. Objectives: The aim was to characterize MDMA use in a sample of French medical students. Methods: Cross-sectional study of Paris VII medical students (N = 592) with an online self-reporting questionnaire. Results: 592 students completed the online questionnaire. 21.5% (n = 127) had experimented with MDMA. Use of MDMA was associated with male sex (p p p p p p Conclusions: Other studies focusing on drug consumption among students are necessary to define specific public health strategies of prevention and harmful reduction.