What to do if your student son or daughter is taking drugs
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Version 0 of 1. “Drugs directly affected my experience of university, and definitely not for the better,” says a student from the University of Leeds. Most people she knew were taking ecstasy and ketamine, she explains, and she felt under pressure to join them. After a bad experience, she stopped. She says: “My friends in halls carried on taking drugs for the next three years. They would plan nights just so that they could have the excuse of taking drugs. I told my parents and broke down because I didn’t want to go to university and feel like I was boring.” Other students have very different stories to tell: of taking drugs and feeling that it opened up new experiences, connected them more deeply to friends, or just gave them a lot of good nights out. But if you’re the parent, or friend, of a student taking drugs, it’s understandable that you might worry about the impact it’s having on their studies and health. Not in all cases of course: former student Sofie-Eliza Price says she had been very sensible and straight-laced at school: “I think my parents wanted me to take drugs at uni and be a bit rebellious.” So just how many students are taking drugs? According to a 2013 survey from student magazine the Tab, 70% of students have tried drugs at least once. According to this survey of over 5,000 students, there are big differences between universities and courses – at some the rate rises to as much as 85%. Abuse and addiction charity CRI told the Guardian it has seen an increase in the number of students of all ages accessing services over the last five years – except for a significant drop in the number of under-18s using services in 2014. Ruth Squire, a senior recovery worker at CRI youth service The Base in Kirklees, says: “If you think your child is taking drugs, try not to panic. Accept that drug use is common among students but know there are steps you can take to support your child should you need to.” Squire suggests researching the effects and dangers of different drugs, so you are aware of the issues, and your child might feel more open to talking to you. “Keep the lines of communication open,” she says. “If your child is studying away from home, maintain communication with them in any way you can, so they know you are there for them.” If you do talk to them about their drug use, try and be calm and non-confrontational, while also stating your concerns. “Remember, if your child is at university, they’re doing well and are considered to be an adult capable of making their own decisions,” Squire adds. One of the main risks of taking drugs is their illegality, unless you’re taking legal highs – substances that haven’t yet been regulated but produce some of the same effects as illegal drugs. Taking illegal drugs on campus, or in halls of residence, could result in police involvement if you’re caught. And many drugs can be dangerous, as there is no regulation of the purity or the substance. Since 2012, for example, there have been a spate of drug-related deaths, due to users taking what they thought were ecstasy tablets. Instead of MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy, they contained PMA, a much stronger substance. Drug deaths are still a relatively rare occurrence, but responsible users can protect themselves in various ways. One student, who chooses not to be named, stresses that you shouldn’t ever do drugs alone: “You never know what your reaction might be and what help you might need if things go wrong, so make sure you have someone you can trust to look after you if needs be.” It is also important to buy from a trusted dealer, rather than a dodgy-looking guy in a club at 3am. Educate yourself on the risks, and don’t mix different substances. As one drug user says: “ Don’t just do drugs based on what someone else tells you you can do.” The charity DrugScope says most people who take drugs do so on an occasional basis, don’t come to serious harm and stop or reduce their usage when they move into their mid-20s. But, some do become heavily dependent on substances - and in the case of students, there are signs to watch out for. These may include reduced attendance at lectures or seminars, losing contact with their usual circle of friends, and having no money or getting into excessive debt. Related: Should you be worried about your student son or daughter's drinking? If you believe that your child, or friend, is becoming dependent on drugs, then try to talk to them about it, in a calm and reassuring way. There are a whole host of support services you can draw on: from services at the university and student union, to their local GP, or specialist substance misuse centres. These should all be confidential and free. If their work is suffering, then encourage them to talk to their personal or academic tutor to discuss coursework extensions or extenuating circumstances for exams. Squire also points out that universities have a responsibility to ensure students know what help is available: “Young people often tell us that they don’t actively seek out a service until things start to go wrong, so an awareness raising campaign within the university which utilises social media can be a useful, proactive approach.” It’s something for all student unions to think about. Most important is to trust your child, get them help if they need it, and try to understand what the reasons behind their drug use might be. “In most cases the family will be frightened about the risks, which can lead to difficulties within the relationship and a breakdown of trust,” says Squire. If you can avoid this, then it will be beneficial for you both. 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