Drug use report discussed on Leeside

New findings on the level of drug use among students was the focus a cross-sector summit hosted by UCC this week.

Students, politicians, academics and support staff came together to discuss the recently published Drug Use in Higher Education in Ireland (DUHEI) Report which makes a number of recommendations aimed at reducing harm caused by drug use. Among these was the need for higher education institutes (HEIs) to embed actions on drugs and alcohol within their healthy campus initiatives.

Another recommendation was for HEIs to benefit from the expertise and support of the health service executive in implementing actions on drugs and alcohol.

The report also recommended surveys on student drug use be taken at 5 year intervals to monitor trends in drug use prevalence, attitudes and behaviours amongst students.

Dr Michael Byrne, Head of the Student Health Service in UCC and lead author of the report said: "The data contained in this report highlight the importance of addressing the issue of drug use amongst our students, and the need to focus on trying to reduce the harms that some experience. “

Dr Byrne said the challenges in tackling the issue are considerable, not least the difficulty in providing services that are accessible to the students, that can be provided on a large scale, and which make sense to them. Dr Byrne said the event gave those at it an opportunity to exchange knowledge gained from the survey among stakeholders.

Ms Asha Woodhouse, President of UCC SU, said: “The findings give us much-needed data and insight into the landscape of drug use amongst students in third level education across Ireland.

She said the report highlights the need for public health messaging, tailored supports and harm reduction interventions.

She said: “We hope to see this report and its important recommendations used to inform policies and to implement response plans in HEIs nationally.”

The event was addressed by Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan TD, who said the research points to “worrying trends” particularly with regard to the use of cocaine.

He said: “It gave me great pleasure earlier in the year to announce €850,000 in recurring funding for a HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms associated with the use of cocaine and crack cocaine. It is vital we do all that we can to protect our student population and support them to realise their full potential. I look forward to continuing to work with partners including the Union of Students in Ireland to address the issue of drug use amongst students.”

The report can be viewed at duhei.ie.