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The Perception of Party Drug Use in the Technoscene in Utrecht
Name (Student number), Name (Student number) & Name (Student number)
Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance, Utrecht University
RGBUSTR005: Criminological Research for Social Science Students
Teacher
Date
Word count: 4320
, 2
Introduction
Going out is something that almost all young people do. Many young people drink
alcohol while clubbing, or in some cases they use drugs. Young adults who go clubbing reported
drug use at high rates. 70% of the young people said they used a drug while clubbing and even
22% said they use drugs while clubbing regularly (Kelly et al., 2006). Also, the use of extasy,
cocaine and 3-MMC while clubbing has risen since 2020 (Koop, 2024). The use of these party
drugs fit in perfectly with techno music. The use of party drugs in the electronic dance music
(EDM) or technoscene is a relevant issue in today's youth culture. Recent data shows an increase
in the use of various party drugs in the Netherlands in 2023 compared to 2020 (Van Beek, 2024).
The city of Utrecht is known for its vibrant nightlife with various techno parties, such as Club
Basis and Soenda Festival (Susa, 2024) and offers a compelling context to investigate this
phenomenon. This raises the following research question: 'How is party drug use perceived in the
Utrecht technoscene amongst young adults?' This question is answered by linking the
phenomenon to the normalisation theory and the subcultural theory, by conducting interviews,
and by conducting an online social media discourse analysis.
This research has sociocultural, political, and scientific relevance by shedding light on
drug use norms within youth subcultures and nightlife, informing public health efforts and youth
engagement, while also gathering information in favour of local drug policies. Finally, it
contributes to interdisciplinary fields such as sociology, criminology, and health studies. By
examining behavioural patterns at the micro level, broader social attitudes are revealed and more
targeted approaches to drug use can be developed.
, 3
After this introductory section, there will be a theoretical framework and then a
methodological reflection. After the methodological reflection a qualitative data analysis will be
provided. Finally, a conclusion will be given to answer the research question.
, 4
Theoretical framework
Definition of party drugs
Party drugs refer to psychoactive substances commonly used in entertainment venues,
including clubs, parties and festivals, to enhance mood, energy, sensory experience and/or social
connectedness (European Crime Prevention Network, 2021). Examples include: MDMA (3,4-
methylene dioxymethamphetamine, often referred to as ecstasy), which is known as that “love
drug” in the technoscene by generating feelings of empathy and energy (State Commission on
MDMA, 2024). Other commonly used party drugs include amphetamines, cocaine, ketamine,
GHB, LSD (Maxwell, 2009) and emerging new psychoactive substances including 3-MMC
(Smit-Rigter et al., 2024). Many of these substances are stimulants that enable users to dance for
hours, enhance their sensory perceptions of the music and bond with other partygoers (Summall
et al., 2006: Ter Bogt & Engels, 2005; Van de Wijngaart et al., 1999). Recreational party drug use
can be described as drug use that is entirely linked to having fun where the user is not affected by
negative consequences. Moreover, this use is limited to leisure time and does not affect normal
functioning at work, school or family life (European Crime Prevention Network, 2021).
Nevertheless, most party drugs such as MDMA, cocaine and amphetamines in the Netherlands
are categorised as hard drugs under section 15 of the Opium Act and it is illegal to possess or sell
them despite the relatively tolerant culture. In this study, party drug use broadly refers to illegal
recreational use by young people of psychoactive substances that enhance the party experience.
The Perception of Party Drug Use in the Technoscene in Utrecht
Name (Student number), Name (Student number) & Name (Student number)
Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance, Utrecht University
RGBUSTR005: Criminological Research for Social Science Students
Teacher
Date
Word count: 4320
, 2
Introduction
Going out is something that almost all young people do. Many young people drink
alcohol while clubbing, or in some cases they use drugs. Young adults who go clubbing reported
drug use at high rates. 70% of the young people said they used a drug while clubbing and even
22% said they use drugs while clubbing regularly (Kelly et al., 2006). Also, the use of extasy,
cocaine and 3-MMC while clubbing has risen since 2020 (Koop, 2024). The use of these party
drugs fit in perfectly with techno music. The use of party drugs in the electronic dance music
(EDM) or technoscene is a relevant issue in today's youth culture. Recent data shows an increase
in the use of various party drugs in the Netherlands in 2023 compared to 2020 (Van Beek, 2024).
The city of Utrecht is known for its vibrant nightlife with various techno parties, such as Club
Basis and Soenda Festival (Susa, 2024) and offers a compelling context to investigate this
phenomenon. This raises the following research question: 'How is party drug use perceived in the
Utrecht technoscene amongst young adults?' This question is answered by linking the
phenomenon to the normalisation theory and the subcultural theory, by conducting interviews,
and by conducting an online social media discourse analysis.
This research has sociocultural, political, and scientific relevance by shedding light on
drug use norms within youth subcultures and nightlife, informing public health efforts and youth
engagement, while also gathering information in favour of local drug policies. Finally, it
contributes to interdisciplinary fields such as sociology, criminology, and health studies. By
examining behavioural patterns at the micro level, broader social attitudes are revealed and more
targeted approaches to drug use can be developed.
, 3
After this introductory section, there will be a theoretical framework and then a
methodological reflection. After the methodological reflection a qualitative data analysis will be
provided. Finally, a conclusion will be given to answer the research question.
, 4
Theoretical framework
Definition of party drugs
Party drugs refer to psychoactive substances commonly used in entertainment venues,
including clubs, parties and festivals, to enhance mood, energy, sensory experience and/or social
connectedness (European Crime Prevention Network, 2021). Examples include: MDMA (3,4-
methylene dioxymethamphetamine, often referred to as ecstasy), which is known as that “love
drug” in the technoscene by generating feelings of empathy and energy (State Commission on
MDMA, 2024). Other commonly used party drugs include amphetamines, cocaine, ketamine,
GHB, LSD (Maxwell, 2009) and emerging new psychoactive substances including 3-MMC
(Smit-Rigter et al., 2024). Many of these substances are stimulants that enable users to dance for
hours, enhance their sensory perceptions of the music and bond with other partygoers (Summall
et al., 2006: Ter Bogt & Engels, 2005; Van de Wijngaart et al., 1999). Recreational party drug use
can be described as drug use that is entirely linked to having fun where the user is not affected by
negative consequences. Moreover, this use is limited to leisure time and does not affect normal
functioning at work, school or family life (European Crime Prevention Network, 2021).
Nevertheless, most party drugs such as MDMA, cocaine and amphetamines in the Netherlands
are categorised as hard drugs under section 15 of the Opium Act and it is illegal to possess or sell
them despite the relatively tolerant culture. In this study, party drug use broadly refers to illegal
recreational use by young people of psychoactive substances that enhance the party experience.
