To check or not to check : investigating the factors influencing young people’s use of drug checking services in Aotearoa New Zealand festivals : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
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Date
2022
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Massey University
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Abstract
This study investigated how attitudes and social norms impact young people’s use of drug checking services in Aotearoa New Zealand festivals. This study used concepts from the theory of planned behaviour to determine the differences between the people who are likely to use a drug checking service and those who are not. Drug checking is deeply rooted in a harm reduction approach, where the focus of drug safety has changed from a prosecution focus to an approach which focuses on reducing drug related harm. Internationally, drug checking services have reduced drug related harm, yet there is currently very little research in New Zealand which investigates young people’s drug use and use of drug checking services in festivals. Whilst the introduction of the Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Act (2021) has enabled drug checking agencies such as Know Your Stuff New Zealand to operate at New Zealand festivals, there are still obstacles which are preventing people from utilising drug checking services. This research used an online, anonymous survey to investigate current drug and festival trends, reasons for using, or not using drugs, reasons for using, or not using drug checking services and how attitudes and social norms impact drug checking behaviour. Chi square analysis and a stepwise logistic regression were used to assess these factors. Results show that those who are more likely to use a drug checking service hold more cautious or conservative attitudes and may do so as they are less experienced with drugs and are concerned to reduce any risk of harm, should they use drugs at festivals. In contrast, those who are unlikely to use a drug checking service, have more liberal attitudes and social norms towards drug checking as they may have greater experience or more confidence in the provenance of their drugs. In order to improve drug checking services and consequently, drug checking behaviours for those who do and do not use drug checking services, there must be an increase in marketing, better accessibility and greater education surrounding drug checking services in festivals in Aotearoa New Zealand.