a closer look at the prevalence of use and risk perception dr Arne van den Bos avandenbosplhanzenl content Prevalence drug use young adults Acute Health incidents Prevalence ID: 1034856
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1. Substance use among college students in the Netherlands:a closer look at the prevalence of use and risk perceptiondr. Arne van den Bosa.van.den.bos@pl.hanze.nl
2. contentPrevalence drug use young adultsAcute Health incidents Prevalence drug use college studentsRiskperceptionImplications for prevention
3. Overview of prevalence of XTC, Cocaïne and Amphetamine use among young adults15-34 yr Europe (‘17)15-34 yr Netherlands (’17) 20-24 yr Netherlands (‘17)XTC1.77.113.1Cocaine2.14.57.9Amphetamine1.03.96.0Prevalence of recent drug use (last year) in % References:EMCDDA 2019 Gezondheidsenquête/Leefstijlmonitor CBS, RIVM, Trimbos-instituut, 2017
4. Health incidents related to drug useMonitor Drug Incidents (DMI) 2018 in the NetherlandsPooled data from Ambulance, First Aid Services, Hospitals in the Netherlands.6.108 drug-related health incidents, around 800 severeHalf of the incidents involved people younger than 25yr 31% included XTC, 16% Cocaine, 11% Amphetamine (10% Ketamine, 23% GHB)19% polydrug use (most commonly including XTC, GHB, Cocaine, Amphetamine)Strong relationship between poly-use and severity of incident: 25% of poly-use incidents were severe (compared to 10% of the single-drug incidents).
5. What about college students?They are interesting becauseThey fit in the age-category 20-24They drink a lot of alcoholThe experience more personal freedom (away from parental control) Existing data on prevalence of drug use is inconclusive (Dorsselaer & Goossens, 2015:large differences in prevalence of drug use, for a large part due to non-representative samples (selection largely through internet fora). For example, lifetime prevalence MDMA ranged from 12% to 70% in 3 big studies at 3 different universities
6. Groningen data ‘17 & ‘19 MethodsTrying to get a stratified random sample in Groningen:50.000 students; University and Applied University, 5 fields (Human sciences, Law, Economics, Life Sciences, Sciences & TechnologyMaking sure that students from these Universities and fields are represented in proportion; going to campuses on different locations and time-slotsN ‘17 = 266, N ‘19 = 488
7. prevalence of drug use college students15-34 yr Europe (‘17)15-34 yr Netherlands (‘17 20-24 yr Netherlands (‘17)StudentsGroningen (‘17)StudentsGroningen (’19)XTC1.77.113.125.620.0Cocaïne2.14.57.911.711.3Amphetamine1.03.96.09.87.2Prevalence of recent drug use (last year) in % References:Van den Bos, A., Sijtstra, M.S., & Bieleman, B. (2017). Partydrugs en studenten: gebruik en kennis van den risico’s. Verslaving, 13, 226 – 238.Notable is that members of student societies use almost twice as much as non-members
8. riskperception16 statements (true / false / dont know) about:Strength and quality of the substances “Every XTC-pill has the same strength”)Mixing / combining substances “Combining XTC and speed is extra dangerous”)Substance-specific risks“When on XTC, the more water you drink, the better”“Cocaine can look like heroin” “When on XTC at a danceparty, overheating is a risk”
9. RiskperceptionStrength and quality:Users are aware that quality and strength can vary significantly (around 6% thinks that quality and strength is fixed)Mixing with other substances8% thinks that combining (uppers with downers, drugs with alcohol, XTC with speed) does not increase health risks2% thinks that combining drugs with prescription medicine is not a riskSubstance-specific55% thinks, the more MDMA in XTC, the better the effect15% thinks cocaine cannot resemble heroin12% thinks, the more water you drink while on XTC, the better7% thinks that overheating on XTC during a raveparty is not a risk
10. What do they already do to reduce risks?Having someone aroundDrinking plenty of waterChecking for info on the internetTesting the drugsTaking regular breaksWatching the dosisDon’t mix with other drugs or alcohol79%72%64%28%30%40%30%
11. conclusionsUniversity students drug use is above averageThere are knowledge gaps regarding health risks that can be adressed Assuming that a white powder is cocaineAssuming that more MDMA automatically leads to a better effectUnderestimating water intoxicationCombining different drugs and alcoholIdeal opportunity to address knowledge gaps in the introduction period:Use peer educatorsZoom in on student societies Don’t only focus on risks, but also provide info on concrete action alternatives