Do you get high?

By Ellen O'Regan

If you’re a third level student, you might be getting an email about drug use soon, but don’t worry, they’re not onto you!

Over 40,000 randomly selected students in Ireland can expect an email this month asking them to participate in the Drug Use in Higher Education in Ireland (DUHEI) Survey.

A national study is getting underway to better understand drug use behaviours and trends amongst students in Ireland.

“A nationwide sectoral action plan is in the works to tackle the harm caused by drug use among the higher education population and the survey will inform this work,” said Dr Michael Byrne, lead researcher on the study and Head of the Student Health Service at UCC.

Dr Byrne is also leader of a Rapid Response Group established by the Minister of Education in 2019 to develop a framework to tackle the issue of drug use among higher education students in Ireland.

“Student participation will be of great help for developing strategies and policies to keep students safe in the future,” he said.

The research team are keen to hear from all students, from those who have never used drugs to current or recent users, to gather a complete picture of trends and attitudes within higher education. All information given will remain anonymous.

The information gathered will help to develop harm reduction interventions and policies. The findings will be presented to the Department of Education and Skills, Rapid Response Group, and all participating institutions in June 2021.