Risk communication about high-dose MDMA: Impact of a hypothetical drug alert on future MDMA use.

Receiving a high-dose MDMA drug alert was associated with intentions to reduce or avoid the drug in a hypothetical scenario. In an online survey of Australians who had used MDMA pills or capsules in the past year, 45.4% of those shown an alert said they would not use the drug, compared to 20.7% of the control group. Among alert recipients, 46.7% said they would use and reduce their initial dose, versus 69.0% in the control group. Those who received an alert were about three times more likely to report intending not to use rather than taking a smaller dose, compared to the control group. Different phrasings of the alert did not significantly change intended behavior.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Despite high-dose 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) drug alerts being distributed, no research has been conducted as to changes in use in response. This study aimed to determine if: (i) high-dose MDMA drug alerts, and (ii) varied descriptions of dose, effects and actions to reduce harm were associated with intentions to reduce the initial MDMA dose in a hypothetical scenario. Australians who used MDMA pills/capsules in the past year completed an online survey. Respondents were randomised into alert (n = 441) or control (n = 184) conditions, with the former receiving a high-dose MDMA alert with systematically varied descriptions of dose, effects and actions to reduce harm. Multinomial logistic regressions determined the association between receipt of drug alert (and varying alert content) and hypothetical MDMA dosing. Almost half (45.4%) of those in any alert condition reported intention to not use (20.7% of control participants) and 46.7% stated they would use and reduce their initial dose (69.0% of control group). Compared to the control group, those who received an alert were significantly more likely to report intention to not use the drug, as compared to taking a smaller initial dose (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR] = 3.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.13, 5.07) or taking the same/higher initial dose (aRRR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.31, 5.22). There was no significant association between different alert phrasing and intended behaviour. While there was no significant effect of variation in phrasing, receipt of an alert promoted intended harm reduction behaviours. Future research assessing actual behaviour and different substances (e.g., heroin, methamphetamine) is important to further understand the utility of this public health communication.