Recreational drug use and drug checking in outdoor music festival: Implications for mass gathering health

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore recreational drug use and drug checking behaviours among emerging adults in the context of mass gathering events, specifically outdoor music festivals. Mass gatherings are recognised as environments associated with increased health risk due to crowd density, environmental exposure, and high-risk behaviours, including recreational drug use. A quantitative descriptive design was employed using a 17-item survey to capture participants’ recreational drug use patterns and experiences with drug checking in a mass gathering context. A survey was distributed to a random sample of attendees at two outdoor music festivals in New Zealand, both classified as planned mass gathering events. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. A substantial proportion of emerging adults reported continuing their usual recreational drug use behaviours when attending mass gatherings. Most participants did not utilise drug checking services prior to the event. MDMA was the most commonly reported substance used. Recreational drug use remains prevalent at mass gathering events, with limited uptake of drug checking despite its availability. The absence of on-site drug checking at mass gatherings restricts opportunities for informed decision-making and harm reduction. Findings highlight the importance of embedding drug checking within broader mass gathering health strategies to mitigate drug-related harm and reduce pressure on emergency health services.