RECREATIONAL USE OF PARTY DRUGS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN GHENT: STAKEHOLDERS SPEAK OUT
Aims: Comparing the experience(s), wishes, and needs of recreational party drug users with the opin-ions of professionals who work around the drug use phenomenon in Ghent (e.g. policymakers, police inspectors, club owners).
Methods: Qualitative research methods made empirical evidence possible, through three focus groups with recreational party drug users and twelve face to face interviews with professionals of the nightlife in Ghent.
Results and conclusion: Regarding nightlife drug interventions, recreational party drug users value concepts of prevention and harm reduction. At the same time, they regularly experience repressive ac-tions as too strict. Three pressing needs emerged: (1) a change of mentality among repressive actors, (2) the installation of drug checking services in Belgium, and (3) an increase of nightlife personnel spe-cialized in/responsible for matters such as excessive drug use, and sexually transgressive behavior. The desirability and feasibility of these needs were subsequently presented to professionals.
Research limitations: Preferably, this study needed additional interviews with professionals with more extensive knowledge of (the possibilities of) drug checking services. Additionally, further interviews with other policymakers (e.g. the current nightlife coach), politicians and nightlife actors (e.g. festival organizers and club owners) could lead to new and/or more nuanced findings. The results cannot be transferred to other municipalities as they might have other needs.