E users’ knowledge of the law
The results of the NSW Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) have just been released. The EDRS monitors emerging trends in the use, price, purity and availability of ecstasy and related drugs such as speed, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, GHB and ketamine. One hundred ecstasy users are interviewed and asked questions about a whole range of issues to do with their drug use. One of the most interesting findings is in the area of dealing with drugs and ecstasy users’ knowledge of the law.
The majority of those interviewed reported that in the previous six months they had obtained ecstasy from friends (79 percent) or known dealers (44 percent). Ecstasy was most often obtained at friends’ homes (55 percent), dealers’ homes (37 percent), nightclubs (31 percent) and agreed public locations (23 percent). Other purchase locations included participants’ own home (21 percent), raves, including doofs and dance parties (12 percent), pubs (11 percent), private parties (eight percent), and acquaintances’ homes (five percent). Seven percent reported that they bought ecstasy on the street; six percent reported they obtained ecstasy at work and four percent at a day club.
Participants were asked a series of questions concerning the possession and supply of ecstasy. Participants were firstly asked if they knew the quantity of ecstasy that, if they were caught in possession, qualified as supply. Forty-seven percent of the NSW sample reported that they did not know the quantity. Of those who reported that they did know the quantity, eight percent believed that the quantity was measured in grams while 93 percent believed that the quantity was measured in -˜tabs’, or ecstasy tablets. Of those who reported that the quantity was measured in tabs, participants reported a median of five tablets (range 1-100 tablets). Of those who reported the quantity was measured in grams, participants reported a median of 1.25 grams (range 0.25-20 grams). In NSW, possession of five or more tablets can qualify a person for the charge of trafficking. Half (49 percent) of the NSW sample reported that they usually purchased five or more ecstasy tablets when they purchased ecstasy.
More than half (58 percent) of the sample reported that they knew the outcomes of being convicted for supplying ecstasy, while 42 percent reported that they did not know.
Participants were asked if they believed there was a difference between being caught in possession of ecstasy that was for their personal use and being caught with ecstasy that was intended to be used by others. The majority (64 percent) of the NSW sample believed there was no difference.
What this clearly shows is that many ecstasy users are not fully aware of the legal risks associated with their drug use. Being caught with an illegal drug can change your life -“ if you choose to use, make sure you know all the risks.
Remember: if you do not want any negative consequences, do not use the drug and, no matter how many times you have used a substance, never be blas?/p>
