Characteristics and social representation of ecstasy in Europe - Irefrea

Supported by governmental orientations, the Mutualité Française des AlpesMaritimes, very active in the new context of public health / risks reduction, prepares asummer program of intervention in the raves of the area Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.Having repaired an old bus for its activities of health promotion, it presents to theadministration, with the help of local partners, the project of a Mobile Unity, composedby a team of professionals and volunteers (a practitioner or a nurse in the team) with thefollowing “general objectives: The primary prevention of drug addictions, thereduction of transmission risks of MST and VIH (through sex and blood), the reductionof sanitary risks connected with the use of different products (alcohol, ecstasy, LSD,etc..)”.Auto-support groups prevention strategies.The Techno Plus Association has delivered prevention brochures in the raves for twoyears. ”More you take, less positive are the effects” says the document (LAMBERT G.:Ecstasy secrets, Univers Santé, 1996, 8). It has participated in fifty raves: “we offerwater and encourage people to take a rest every two hours, we take care of anyone whohas a “bad trip” and recommend not to buy unknown products…” explains the presidentof the association.The TIPI association, also supported by old ravers, develops in the region of Nice arisk reduction strategy: it distributes information in raves and discos, installs stands(handicrafts, water, sugar and dry fruits…) in several raves…in order to inform aboutthe specific dangers and the sexual transmission risks of AIDS. They proposetherapeutic solutions. “We must not brutally say no to drug, it will close the door todialogue(…). It would be necessary for the organisers of raves to offer quiet rooms sothat young people could recover their spirit. It is better to get it over and liberateourselves than always continue being out of step with Society (…). In the raves, thereare people who use drugs and people who do not. It is a fact. However, if they decideto consume, let’s them do it properly”.In the context Research-Action already mentioned, the project of “Médecins duMonde” (MDM) is to participate, in common with auto-support associations (such asTechno Plus, TIPI, Keep Smiling,…), in the preparation of information and riskprevention brochures. They train members of these associations in order to give firstaid, favour the education and help by their equals, study different strategies for theprevention of psychological risks, put into immediate practice situations ofpsychological disinhibition, reinforcing risks…, support testing practices andinvestigate the massive use of psychotropics, sign of a society in search of happinessthrough chemical products.In order to carry out this project, “Médecins du Monde” recommends to put intopractice a synergy that associates the sanitary and social participants of the association,the members of the auto-support associations, the research centres, such as l’IREP, the137