The Canadian recreational drug use survey: Aims, methods and first results BY CAMERON DUFF, WARREN MICHELOW, CLIFTON CHOW, ANDREW IVSINS, AND TIM STOCKWELL In late 2006, pilot research was initiated in two western Canadian sites (Vancouver and Victoria) to systematically monitor patterns and trends in three specific illicit drug user populations: club and rave party attendees, adolescent street involved injection and non- injection drug users, and adult injection drug users. These sentinel groups were selected because of elevated rates of alcohol and other drug use within these populations and contexts, and the high levels of associated risks and harms. Drawing from international monitoring and surveillance systems, novel research instruments were developed for each population and were administered in face- to-face interviews at each study site. This paper presents an overview of the broad research methodology for the “high risk” monitoring research as well as select findings for the “club drug” sample. The piloted research design yielded high quality data, particularly in relation to recent patterns of drug use behaviour (items on drug use “yesterday” and “last weekend”). The success of these novel items highlights the value of the present study and its relevance for similar studies across the country. KEY WORDS: Canada, illicit drugs user populations, monitoring. Contemporary Drug Problems 36/Fall-Winter 2009 517 CDP Fall/Winter issue 2009 article by: Duff, et all. 12-23-2009 Rev. © 2010 by Federal Legal Publications, Inc.