From "Candy Kids" to "Chemi-Kids": a typology of young adults who attend raves in the midwestern United States.
Jill A Mccaughan, Robert G Carlson, Russel S Falck, Harvey A Siegal
Substance use & misuse January 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1081/ja-200066830 via PubMed
Summary
Young people who attend raves and use ecstasy are not a uniform group. Based on focus groups, interviews with 36 current and former ecstasy users aged 19–31 in central Ohio, and participant observation, five main subgroups were identified: Chemi-Kids, Candy Kids, non-affiliated Party Kids, Junglists, and Old School Ravers. These groups differ in musical taste, philosophy, clothing, time in the subculture, and drug use patterns. For instance, ecstasy use is most common among Candy Kids, while Junglists tend to use more ketamine and methamphetamine. Alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogens are also widespread. This typology can help design targeted prevention strategies.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | Current and former ecstasy users aged 19-31 in central Ohio involved in the rave subculture |
| Citations | 43 |
| Key finding | Five subgroups of rave attendees—Chemi-Kids, Candy Kids, non-affiliated Party Kids, Junglists, and Old School Ravers—differ in drug use patterns, with ecstasy most common among Candy Kids and ketamine and methamphetamine more common among Junglists. |
Abstract
Although young people attending raves have been most visibly associated with the use of ecstasy and other "club drugs" in the United States, there is reason to believe that they are not a homogenous group in terms of their drug use practices. The purpose of this article is to begin developing a typology of young adult ecstasy users involved in the rave subculture--known as Ravers or Party Kids. The study is based on focus groups and qualitative interviews conducted between November 2001 and September 2003 with 36 current and former ecstasy users, aged 19-31, in central Ohio, as well as participant observation conducted in raves, clubs, and bars where "club drugs" are often used. Findings suggest the existence of five main subgroups in attendance at raves--Chemi-Kids, Candy Kids, non-affiliated Party Kids, Junglists, and Old School Ravers. These groups differ in regard to musical taste, philosophy, style of clothing worn, amount of time in the rave subculture, and most importantly, patterns of drug use. For example, while the use of ecstasy appears most common among Candy Kids, Junglists tend to be more involved with the use of ketamine and methamphetamine. The use of alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogens is also widespread in the rave subculture. The typology can aid in the development of communication strategies necessary for successful prevention activities among some categories of ecstasy users.