“What Goes Up Must Come Down”: Exploring the Harms Experienced By a Group of Heavy Ecstasy Users in Melbourne and Discussing the Implications for Harm Reduction

Abstract

This paper presents findings from an ethnographic study of a group of young recreational drug users in Melbourne. This group of young recreational drug users derived many benefits from their ecstasy and other drug use, including sociability and pleasure; however, they also experienced a range of harms from their frequent drug use. This paper discusses these harms and then reflects on the implications for harm reduction policy.