ALCOHOL AND DRUG-USE IN UK UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS

Background Alcohol and illicit drug use are increasing among school ch ildren and young adults in the UK. Such increases have also been noted among university students and there is a need for a large survey acro ss different universities and faculties. We report such a survey. Meth ods information about drinking, use of cannabis and other illicit drug s, other lifestyle variables, and subjective ratings of anxiety and de pression was obtained by questionnaire in a cross-faculty sample of 30 75 second-year university students (1610 men, 1447 women, 18 sex not s tated) from ten UK universities. The questionnaire was personally admi nistered during scheduled lecture hours and almost ail the students pa rticipated. The sample reflected the interfaculty and sex distribution and the proportion of non-white students at UK universities. Findings 11% of the students were non-drinkers, Among drinkers, 61% of the men and 48% of the women exceeded ''sensible'' limits of 14 units per wee k for women and 21 for men. Hazardous drinking (greater than or equal to 36 units per week for women, greater than or equal to 51 for men) w as reported by 15% of the drinkers, Binge drinking was declared by 28% of drinkers. 60% of the men and 55% of the women reported having used cannabis once or twice and 20% of the sample reported regular cannabi s use (weekly or more often). Experience with other illicit drugs was reported by 33% of the sample, most commonly LSD (lysergic acid diethy lamide), amphetamines, Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), and am yl/butyl nitrate which had each been used by 13-18% of students. 34% o f these had used several drugs, Drug use had started at school in 46% of the sample; 13% began after entering university. The overwhelming r eason given for taking alcohol or drugs was pleasure, Subjective ratin gs of anxiety on the hospital anxiety depression scale were high, and sleep difficulties were common, but neither related to alcohol or drug use. Interpretation There is a need far better education about alcoho l, drugs, and general health in universities. Such education should in clude all faculties. It remains unclear whether university students' l ifestyles are carried over into later life.