MDMA, cocaine users offered cash by university for research

Drug users are being offered cash by researchers from Queensland’s top university to detail their experience

Drug-abusing students are being offered cash by Queensland’s largest university to share their experience of taking illicit substances for ­research purposes.

Researchers from the University of Queensland have made a call-out to people who regularly use ecstasy or other stimulants such as cocaine to sit down for a one-hour interview, and detail their experience with researchers.

In exchange, participants have been offered $40.

While the research is not specifically limited to university students, flyers advertising the request for participants have been spotted at the ­University of Queensland campus, including in one of the libraries.

The brightly coloured ­posters begin with the words, “Helloooooooo!!! Do you use stimulants like MDMA or cocaine?”

“Researchers from UQ would like to speak to people who regularly use ecstasy or other stimulants,” it reads, adding interviews will take place until the end of May.

“The interview takes place at a local cafe and lasts about one hour.”

The poster also stipulates the interview would be anonymous, confidential, and students did not have to use their real name.

The University of Queensland campus at St Lucia in inner Brisbane

UQ said the study was part of an annual national survey co-ordinated by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) for more than 20 years, and was part of the internationally renowned Drug Trends program.

“The research is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Health, to help to quickly identify emerging issues to assist with policy responses and intervention,” a spokeswoman said.

“UNSW is the lead research organisation, supported by a consortium of universities including the Burnet Institute, the University of Tasmania, UQ and Curtin University.”

UQ said as the Queensland lead on the study researchers were recruiting participants in the Greater Brisbane area, including the Gold Coast, and hoping to interview 100 people.

“Participants, who remain anonymous, are recruited into the study through social media campaigns and by placement of flyers in high traffic areas,” the spokeswoman said.

“The team who coordinates the UQ component includes five researchers, who also work on other research projects.”

“Rapid research bulletins and peer-reviewed journal articles are also released to alert health, justice, housing, education and social services fields of emerging trends.”