Ecstasy was the second most used illegal drug (8%), although at a much

lower level than cannabis.  This was followed by cocaine, magic mushrooms

and amphetamines. Male students were much more likely to use these

illegal drugs than female students (Table 17).  

Table 17: Illegal Drug use in past 12 months by gender

Males

Females

Total

%

%

%

Cannabis

45.4

32.4

37.3*

Ecstasy

10.6

6.4

8.0*

Cocaine

9.0

3.9

5.8*

Magic Mushrooms

8.0

3.1

4.9*

Amphetamine

5.6

3.8

4.5

Solvents

5.4

1.5

2.2*

LSD

2.3

1.4

1.7 

Tranquillisers

1.3

1.3

1.3 

Heroin

0.4

0.3

0.4 

*Significant between gender (p<.01)

4.9.3 ALCOHOL

4.9.3a  Attitudes to Alcohol

The reasons why students usually consumed alcohol were for sociability,

enjoyment and relaxation.  Gender differences emerged with a higher

proportion of male students choosing sociability and relaxation and a higher

proportion of female students choosing enjoyment (Table 18). One in four

students reported having a drink with a meal, more females than males

reported such a practice.  However, one in ten students used alcohol to

forget worries and one in twenty used alcohol when anxious or depressed.

Just 2% of students felt they needed to drink.  Although low, a higher

proportion of males (5%) drank because they were lonely or to be polite in

comparison to females. 

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