Drug survey at British universities reveals 40% of students smoke cannabis, 12% snort cocaine and 11% admit to taking Ketamine
- Some 33 per cent of 16,000 students quizzed had used more drugs during crisis
- Cannabis most heavily used, followed by cocaine, nitrous oxide and Ketamine
- Around 44 per cent of students said they had used the drugs out of boredom
More than 40 per cent of students at British universities have admitted to smoking cannabis while 12 per cent snort cocaine, a drugs survey has found.
Some 33 per cent of 16,000 students quizzed admitted to using drugs more heavily throughout the coronavirus pandemic, research by The Tab found.
The survey, which included responses from undergraduates at 14 universities, found 55 per cent of students believed more of their counterparts had turned to recreational drugs during the crisis.
Cannabis was the most heavily used, with 44 per cent of students admitting taking it, while the second most prolific was cocaine at 12.5 per cent.
Another 12.1 per cent have taken laughing gas – or nitrous oxide – while 11.7 per cent said they had used Ketamine. The least popular drugs were speed and Xanax, with just 495 and 576 students respectively admitting using them.
Researchers also quizzed the students on the reason for their drug use, with 44 per cent of students admitting they had taken drugs out of boredom
More than 40 per cent of students at British universities have admitted to smoking cannabis while 12 per cent snort cocaine, a drugs survey has found. Pictured: Stock image
Researchers also quizzed the students on the reason for their drug use, with 44 per cent of students admitting they had taken drugs out of boredom.
Some 37.5 per cent of respondents said they used drugs for ‘relaxation or self medication,’ while 17 per cent admitted to falling victim to peer pressure.
The researchers said: ‘In a survey of over 16,000 students across the country, it’s clear that drug use is still prevalent at uni despite national lockdowns, rules of six and tier systems aplenty.
‘We asked students about their drug of choice, whether they have been taking more drugs since the pandemic and the emotional reasons behind their drug use.
‘Students generally deny that they have individually been doing more drugs since the pandemic started. In fact, only 33 per cent of students said they were doing drugs more often.
Some 33 per cent of 16,000 students quizzed admitted to using drugs more heavily throughout the coronavirus pandemic, research found. Pictured: Stock image
‘However, when presented with the same question phrased about other students, “Do you think students are doing more drugs since the pandemic?”, they answered overwhelmingly yes.
‘Fifty five per cent of students, 8,757 respondents, believe students are doing more drugs since the pandemic started.’
The Tab also published data displaying the drugs distribution across the surveyed universities: Bristol, UCL, Warwick, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Belfast, Durham, Southampton, Sussex, Exeter, St Andrews, Birmingham, Lincoln and Glasgow.
It found the largest number of cocaine and cannabis users at Newcastle University, followed by Southampton, Exeter and Edinburgh.