Drug trends

The use of ecstasy has increased over the past decade in New Zealand and is the most well-known of so-called 'designer drugs'. A 2002 study indicated that six percent of 15-17 year-olds and 11 percent of 20-24 year-olds had tried stimulants, or amphetamine type substances, under which ecstasy is categorised.

Treatment providers have also reported an increase in the number of people presenting with ecstasy-related problems, although most recent surveys indicate that ecstasy and LSD were rarely nominated as a primary drug problem by people seeking treatment services.

Although it has been associated with nightclubs and electronic music, the use of ecstasy also happens in homes and private parties. The use of ecstasy is more likely to occur in metropolitan areas, than rural areas.

Studies suggest that ecstasy users are predominantly male, aged 20-29, European and single. However, they came from a broad range of income and occupational groups.

Despite the growing availability and prevalence of ecstasy in New Zealand, there have been only three deaths attributed to its use. The first recorded death was in 1998 and there has been no other recorded ecstasy death since 2001.

An ecstasy tablet costs about $60 to $70. This is down from $80 to $100 per tablet in the mid-1990s.

Recent statistics

• 5.4 percent of people surveyed in 2001 had tried ecstasy, and 3.4 percent had tried it within the previous year
• 12.5 percent of males aged 20-24 had tried ecstasy, and 8.8 percent of males aged 25-29 had tried it
• 84 percent of ecstasy users are European
• 78 percent of people surveyed in SHORE's IDMS survey published in 2005 reported that ecstasy was 'easy' or 'very easy' to obtain
• 66 percent of users perceived 'moderate risk' and 'great risk' from taking ecstasy, and 15 percent perceived 'extreme risk'. In comparison, 56 percent of users perceived crystal meth to have 'extreme risk'.