Outcome evaluations of peer education projects amongst ecstasy and related drug (ERDs) users are rare in the published literature. The aim of this research study was to see if health messages can be effectively delivered ERDs users using a peer led intervention. A quasi experimental study design was utilised where some participants (cases) received unique messages about ‘serotonin syndrome’ and the need to ‘rehydrate before you dehydrate’ and others (controls) under similar conditions, did not.

A total of 661 baseline interviews were conducted with ecstasy users at dance events in three study sites in Australia. A total of 349 follow up interviews were conducted with the sample to assess if health messages had be retained at three months later. The study hypothesis was that cases would have a greater recall of the unique messages at three month follow-up, than those who attended the control events. The outcome measures for the project were retention of the messages at three month follow-up and reported behaviour change related to the messages delivered.

This presentation will discuss the findings of the study and provide some insight into current best practice with regard delivering peer education to this target group.