Bec Rengel HallsLife Coordinator The Students’ Union at UWE
Becky Risley Senior Drug and Alcohol Practitioner UWE Bristol
Rachel Colley Community Manager The Students’ Union at UWE
NUS Drugs Survey Initial Findings 2020-2021
Key Details and Demographics 94 respondents in total Age: 79% 18-22 year olds 16% were 23-29 5% were 30+
Year of Study
32%
35%
Degree 82% Undergraduates 10% Postgraduate 8% other (A levels, Foundation year)
32% 1st Year
2nd year
3rd year
Drug Use – Perceptions and Opinions Before starting at university/college, did you believe that students… 0%
Used drugs all of the time (2)
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
And now you’re a student at university/college, which of the following best matches your experiences of drug use? 0%
5%
Student use drugs all of the time (9)
2%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
43%
24%
Students use drugs occasionally (39) Used drugs occasionally (55)
41%
59%
Students never use drugs (2)
Never used drugs (14)
15%
10%
Students use drugs most of the time (40) Used drugs most of the time (23)
10%
15%
Don’t know (4)
2%
4%
Drug Use – Perceptions and Opinions To what extent to you agree/disagree with the following... 0%
10%
20%
30%
I feel under pressure to take drugs at college/university
11%
Students take drugs to fit in with their peers
11%
70%
80%
56%
65% 31%
Students who take drugs do less well in their studies
Percentage Agree
60%
80%
I do not have a problem with students taking drugs recreationally
Student drug use isn’t as problematic as is widely thought
50%
28%
Taking drugs is part of university/college culture
There is a problematic drug culture at my university/college
40%
21%
61%
30%
14%
52% 28%
Percentage Disagree
46%
90%
Why students use / have used drugs 0%
5%
Because friends, family or people I was with pressured or encouraged me to
15%
20%
1% 29%
Out of habit
2%
Something to do / boredom
11%
To cope with a difficult life event (e.g. loss, separation)
3%
To enhance my social interactions
12% 1%
To escape reality
7%
To help me deal with stress
18%
To improve my confidence
4%
To self-medicate for an existing mental health problem Other None of these - I have used drugs in the past but not since I have been a student at university/college
30%
7%
For recreation
To enhance sex
25%
2%
Because friends, family or people I was with take/were taking drugs and I wanted to fit in For a spiritual experience
10%
10% 2% 7%
35%
Drugs Use – Type of Drugs Most used/popular drugs (percentage of students currently using in various frequencies): Cannabis: 59% Nitrous Oxide: 31% Powder Cocaine: 29% Ecstasy/MDMA: 27% Ketamine: 27%
Top 3 drugs used weekly (once a week or more) Cannabis: 33% Ketamine: 8% Non-prescribed benzodiazepines: 4%
Top 3 drugs used monthly (once a month or more) Cannabis: 47% Ketamine: 16% Nitrous Oxide: 13%
Drugs Use – Location and Company Most used/popular locations (at least once this year): In own accommodation: 58% House parties: 53% Local nightclub: 33%
Students use drugs most: With friends: 65% On their own: 40% With their partner: 39%
Drugs Use – Acquisition 0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Purchase in person from a regular dealer(s)
44%
Receive without payment from friends and / or family
38%
Purchase from friends and / or family
36%
Purchase in person from different dealers each time
22%
Purchase online via social media
12%
Purchase online via dark web
6%
Purchase online via 'conventional' web
2%
Rather not say
2%
Not applicable - I haven't used drugs in the time since I've been a student at university/college
45%
16%
50%
Safety I know what to expect from the drug I am taking
74%
I am certain I know what is in the drug I am taking
57%
I feel safe when taking drugs
59%
I feel safe when acquiring drugs 0%
43%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Steps students have taken/take to avoid potential harm 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Staying in an environment where I feel safe, if possible Avoiding dehydration e.g. drinking enough water Taking time off between drug experiences Finding out about the drug and its effects before using it, if possible Avoiding mixing several drugs, if possible Taking a small amount first and waiting to feel the effects before re-dosing Pre-planning my drug experience, if possible Avoiding overheating e.g. taking breaks from dancing Avoiding mixing drugs and alcohol, if possible Taking a drug in a different way e.g. dabbing instead of sniffing powder MDMA Other Using drug testing services kits/services (e.g. The Loop, WEDINOS) Percentage Unaware
Percentage Aware and have not used
Percentage Aware and have used
60%
70%
80%
90%
Reasons for not using/stopping 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Worried about the effect using drugs will have on me (36)
54%
Never thought about it / considered using drugs (23)
35%
Worried about the legality of using drugs (18)
28%
It’s too expensive (16)
25%
Worried about what my parents/guardians would think about me using drugs (13)
20%
None of my friends use drugs (7)
11%
Worried about the reputation using drugs would give me (7)
11%
Religious or cultural reasons (6)
Other (7)
60% 55%
Concern about the long term effects of drug use on my health (35)
A current health condition (1)
50%
9% 2% 11%
Sources of Advice / Information The top 5 sources of advice on drugs that students have heard of are: University staff/services: 76% Talk To Frank: 59% SU Staff/services: 54% From peers: 44% Online forums (e.g. Reddit, The Student Room): 41%
The top 5 sources of advice students have used are: Peers: 61% Talk To Frank: 61% Online forums (e.g. Reddit, The Student Room): 56% Online user forums (e.g. Trip Report, Erowid): 50% Local drug services: 11%
University Drugs Policy 78% of students are aware that the university has a drugs policy and 49% of students know at least a little of what the policy says Students believe: The university should not be punishing students who take drugs (45% agree, 32% disagree, 7% don’t know) They’re confident they’d be supported appropriately if they turned to the university for support (43% agree, 10% disagree, 25% don’t know) The university policy doesn’t go far enough to deter students from using drugs (38% agree, 10% disagree, 29% don’t know)
DHI @ UWE WELLBEING
SEPTEMBER 2020 – MARCH 2021 94 referrals 57% Male 43% Female – national average 69% Male & 31% Female 19% of students referred received a one off harm reduction appointment 43% of students referred received two or more brief intervention appointments 37% of students referred declined accessing support.
DHI @ UWE WELLBEING
SEPTEMBER 2020 – MARCH 2021 Primary issue: Alcohol 34% Cannabis 30 % Ketamine 20% This data shows what the students are presenting with as a primary issue.