Colleges to collect data in effort to combat students’ drug use

Official statistics on college students’ drug use are to be compiled across all higher education institutions nationwide as part of an action plan tackling substance abuse in third level.

Official statistics on students’ drug use are to be compiled across all higher education institutions to create a clear picture of their use at third-level.

Examining both recreational and habitual drug use amongst students, the wide-ranging study is to be led by Dr Michael Byrne, head of the student health department at University College Cork (UCC).

The study is expected to focus on students who have sought assistance from their institute's counselling service, and on incidents relating to each college campus.

The action plan follows two suspected drug-related deaths this year, the first in May, when NUI Galway student John Ryan lost his life after ingesting what is believed to have been an illegal substance at a house in Limerick

Last month, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) student Jack Downey died after a suspected drugs overdose at the Indiependence music festival in Mitchelstown.

The 19-year old from Clonmel in Co Tipperary fell ill after taking what is believed to have been ecstasy or MDMA and died three days later at Cork University Hospital.

In August, four young men were also rushed to University Hospital Kerry for side-effects associated with suspected ecstasy use.

The data-gathering exercise forms part of a new action plan tackling substance abuse in the third-level sector, launched by Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

A rapid response group, made up of senior academics, gardaí, students, parents and first responders, have also been tasked with considering the key issues in the sector to create a 'road-map' of solutions.

This group includes representatives from third-level institutes, the HSE, the National Parents Council Post Primary (NPCPP), the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland and Healthy Ireland.

The expert panel, which is expected to report back with its findings in eight weeks, is to be chaired by Dr Andrew Power of the Institute of Art Design and Technology.

Dr Jo-Hanna Ivers, assistant professor in addiction at Trinity College Dublin, and Assistant Commissioners John O’Driscoll and Orla McPartlin are also among members of the panel.

While some good work is being done, there is not enough happening in a planned and joined-up way across the sector, according to Minister Mitchell O’Connor.

Some students are suffering serious harm. Some are dying and lives are shattered. We all have a responsibility to protect and educate students and parents.

With current statistics on students’ drug use mainly “anecdotal”, the study across higher-level institutes will lead to an accurate account of drugs in college, she added.

"I want our initiative to also help us to drive home the message of responsible bystander intervention – always ‘step in’ when there is any indication that a friend or fellow student is at risk after consuming drugs by calling the emergency services.

"The messaging is important, but it is also critical that we work in partnership with institutions and groups to ensure the success of the final action plan.”

“It is my intention that this response will be embedded within the Healthy Ireland Healthy Campus initiative which is being rolled out within all our higher education institutions by the Department of Health later this year.”

This story was updated at 4pm.