Daniel O’Brien | Senior Editor
Sixty-four per cent of Trinity students reported encountering no pressure within college life to use drugs, nor any stigma for either using or not using them, according to a recent drug use survey by Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU).
Ian Mooney, Welfare Officer of TCDSU, released the results, which will be discussed at TCDSU Council on tonight. The survey was conducted to provide context around the formulation of a new drug policy, proposed as a discussion item by Welfare Officer-elect, Conor Clancy. Of the 505 Trinity students who completed the survey, the largest group (38 per cent) were first years.
Mooney told The University Times: “[The numbers] show that there is a drug culture among Trinity students that needs to be acknowledged”, with roughly 60 per cent having used drugs at least once. Mooney added: “It’s long overdue that we talk about it and act to ensure that our students are as safe as possible while engaging in such activities”. 73 per cent reported never having a negative experience while using drugs, which may be mitigated by respondents who never use them. Only 10 per cent of respondents have ever used prescription or over-the-counter drugs for recreational purposes.
