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Quickscan 3-MMC in Zwolle

Sewage analyses in Zwolle show that the use of 3-MMC in the municipality is remarkably higher than in other Dutch municipalities. However, the group of people using 3-MMC is still hardly in the picture at the local addiction care institution Tactus. As a result, there are a number of questions within the Zwolle municipality about the use of this drug, the people who use it, the motivations for using it and the care needs of the people who use 3-MMC.

Mainline is conducted a Quickscan among the different groups of people who use to quickly gain proper insight into the local use of 3-MMC. The Quickscan is a cost-effective tool on the basis of which a report is produced with advice around policy, support, prevention and care.

aims

The purpose of the Quickscan was:

To get a better understanding of the use of 3-MMC in Zwolle. This involves framing the different types of groups using, their patterns of use and motives, usage culture, risk behaviours among people who use and their need for information, education, prevention and care;
Scanning the local drug market (supply side), contact and crossover between different groups who use, switching to other substances (e.g. since the ban on 3-MMC), activities of people who use in production and trafficking/resale;
Arriving at (initial) directions regarding adequate approaches to the problem (if any) and/or recommendations for policy and care provision, in which an approach from (primary and possibly secondary) prevention thinking is central.

rresults

Our analysis allowed us to dig into who, why, how, and how much uses 3-MMC in Zwolle. From the groups on which we focused, it is primarily used by young people and in the chemsex-scene, while rarely by people in social care or without a home. According to our interviewees, the so called “3M” is easily accessible and fairly cheap in Zwolle, because it is locally produced. The high presence of 3MMC metabolites in Zwolle sewage results from both wide-spread low-amount use, as well as intense use by a fairly small group. It appears in many settings: from homes and cafes to festivals, and is taken in various ways, most often snorted or taken orally. Users report numerous negative effects corresponding with their use, though, they are highly correlated with their use-patterns. Many mentioned physical and mental complaints such as lack of sleep, mood swings, teeth grinding and restlessness largely disappear after use is stopped. However, more intense use was reported to impact mental health and personal life. As of now, people who find their use problematic have problems finding sufficient help or information, due to long waiting times or lack of materials.

recommendations

We recommend the municipality of Zwolle actions the following actions:

Primary prevention: implement the general guidelines for drug prevention among youth by the Trimbos Instituut instead of creating a mass-media campaign.
Harm Reduction: provide informational materials for users, strengthen the testing services, and bring attention to sexually risky behaviors.
Addiction Care: invest in addiction services, and deal with lengthy waiting lists.
Training of professionals: organize trainings to create a local base of specialists competent in dealing with 3MMC’s societal effects.
Better communication between the institutions involved, so that people seeking help end up in correct institutions fast.
Enforcement: actively regulate the supply chain, in balance with investing in care.

A full summary is available here.

Would you like to read the entire report? Contact the project leader Machteld Busz.