Introduction: There are few contemporary data on illicit drug use at music festivals. We describe drug use patterns and prevalence of specific higher-risk drug-related behaviours, and their associations with festivalgoer characteristics.
Methods: We approached attendees at six major music festivals in New South Wales, Australia, from November 2019 to March 2020. Participants self-completed an anonymous survey on prior and intended drug use and associated higher-risk behaviours; double dropping; higher-volume ethanol alongside drug use; higher quantity 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA); mixing stimulants; and preloading. Logistic regression and UpSet analyses were performed to identify festivalgoer characteristics and the intersection of high-risk behaviours, respectively.
Results: Of 1229 participants, 372 (30.3%) used or planned to use drugs at the festival. In multivariable analyses, men and those purchasing drugs both inside and outside the venue had greater odds of engaging in higher-risk behaviours. Of those using MDMA, 47.9% reported double dropping. People using drugs for the first time had 3.3 (95% confidence interval 1.2-8.7) greater odds of higher-volume ethanol alongside drug use. People reporting that police/police dog presence influenced their decision to take drugs had 2.2 (95% confidence interval 1.4-3.6) greater odds of preloading. In UpSet analysis, preloading was the most common intersection (17% of those using drugs).
Discussions and conclusions: Engagement in the five higher-risk drug behaviours was common, particularly amongst males and those using drugs for the first time, while police/police dog presence appeared to influence higher-risk behaviours amongst festival attendees. This information can be used to inform harm reduction advice, public health and law enforcement strategies.
Keywords: Australia; illicit drugs; music festival; surveys and questionnaires.
© 2021 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.