Psychoactive substances among Electro party scene enthusiasts

More recently, this concern has been increased by the growing use of cocaine and poly-drug–use habits. 

The need for detailed information about the level of psychoactive substance use in this population led OFDT to conduct a study to estimate the prevalence of psychoactive substance use in the so-called “Electro” party environment as part of its TREND scheme between 2003 and 2005.

This study was conducted in five city locations (Toulouse, Nice, Bordeaux, Metz, Rennes). The study provides prevalence estimates of psychoactive substance use in people frequenting the Electro party scene in France. 

This groups together the so-called alternative party scenes (rave and free parties) and conventional party scenes (nightclubs, music bars). 

In 1999, a study by the association Médecins du monde produced prevalence estimates in this population although their representativeness was limited to the association’s public, and data was mostly collected from harm reduction stands at party events. 

This work also therefore provides exploratory methodological information: establishing and applying a survey technique in order to obtain a sample which is representative of the party population.