Changing Patterns of Substance Use on Campus: A Four-Year Follow-up Study

Abstract

In 1969 and 1973, 598 and 474 randomly selected university students reported their present and past use and extent of use of substances taken without medical prescription. Of the 18 substances, 10 showed a significant increase in percentage of users over time with greatest increases for marihuana, hashish and alcohol. These 3 plus tobacco were most used by students and used most frequently. Other substances were used by less than 7% presently and by less than 4% on an often or regular basis. The percentage of tobacco users had not diminished, but smokers reported lower frequencies of use in 1973. Single undergraduates reported highest percentages of abuse; sex differences were not evident. Methodological issues in survey research on substance use were discussed as well as implications for substance educational programming.