Drug abuse, service awareness and service use among University students

Abstract

Is drug abuse present among university students, if yes, to which extent? What are the main factors that lead university students to do drugs? Is it to escape from daily hurdles or to experience something new? Three hundred university students were given the opportunity to participate within this study. Moreover, the information gathered from university students themselves was supported with experts' opinion regarding the drug problem. Furthermore, two university students, who were once drug dependents themselves and have asked for an agency's help, were also asked to share their experiences during an interview. Interviewed experts are currently working within Sedqa, Caritas and the university Counselling Unit. The data gathered shows that drug abuse is present among university students. The most common abused drugs are marijuana and ecstasy, that is, as they are usually referred to, recreational drugs. Thus, despite the fact that students admit their drug use, what is keeping them back from asking for the help they need? Is it because they are able to control their drug usage or is it due to being labelled, in which at the end of the day may effect one's reputation in society? Do the students actually consider themselves as having a drug problem? Spreading awareness regarding the harm drugs cause, both psychologically and physically could help limit drug abuse. However, as one of the experts declared, "not one secondary school student nowadays, admits that he is not aware that drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, do harm to one's health". In addition, what is being done to raise further awareness among university students? Are university students being provided with the essential information how to keep away from drugs?