Four in 10 students say it is very or fairly easy for them to access illegal substances within 24 hours if they wanted to, as reported during today's presentation of the results of a survey of public and private students institutions of Cyprus for the use of addictive substances and for other addictive behaviors. The presentation of the research findings was made by the Cyprus Addictions Authority (AAEK) at the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority Amphitheatre.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of AAEK, Dr. Christos Minas, told the greeting that the purpose of the research is “to assess the extent and pattern of the use of addictive substances and addictive behaviors in this group of young people studying in public and private institutions of higher education in Cyprus”.
He emphasized that it is the first time that the situation has been captured in this special and sensitive population, that of students. A key pillar, he continued, is to “design now with scientific documentation all preventive and therapeutic programs as well as any interventions so that they better respond to the specific target group of students”. Indicatively, he said, that from the results of the survey it appears that 6 out of 10 female and male students have tried some of the conventional cigarettes, that 6 out of 10 female and male students have tried an electronic or heated cigarette and that 7 out of 10 female and male students have consumed alcohol during the last month. “Evaluating the extent and pattern of the use of addictive substances among students gives us the opportunity to determine priorities”, noted Mr. Minas.
The Head of the Monitoring Department of the National Drug Documentation and Information Center of Cyprus (EKTEPN), Ioanna Giasemi, presented the data and results of the investigation.
He stated that the objectives of the survey were to record the extent and patterns of use of legal and illegal substances, as well as addictive behaviors among students, to identify the socio-demographic characteristics and behaviors of students and to note the attitudes and perceptions of students on issues related to with the use of addictive substances and other addictive behaviors. He added that this information is used to assess the extent of substance use and other addictive behaviors in the student population, identify priorities, and plan ways to address the problem.
According to Ms. Yasemi, when asked how difficult or easy it would be to find illegal substances in 24 hours, if you wanted to, 4 out of 10 students state that it is very or fairly easy for them to have access to illegal substances within 24 hours , in case they wanted it. “In the question do you consider a person who uses illegal substances more of a patient or more of a criminal?” It was reported that 4 out of 10 students consider people who use illegal substances more as patients, that is, people who need help. It is noted that this opinion is expressed more strongly among women. At the same time, the survey showed that 28% of students are in favor of the use of cannabis, an opinion that is expressed more strongly among men, as well as among the older participants (22+).
To the question “Have you ever smoked cigarettes, cigars or a pipe?” 6 out of 10 answered positively. It is noted that 4.5% of all students started smoking before the age of 14, while the largest percentage occurs at the ages of 16-17. Also, it was reported that 2.5% of all students stated that they smoke more than 20 times a day, a frequency that corresponds to approximately one pack of cigarettes. In addition, it is reported that 16.0% of all students wish to stop smoking, while 9.2% have already stopped smoking. Additionally, 3 in 10 reported having tried marijuana/hashish.
It is worth noting that 6 out of 10 have used an electronic or heated cigarette at least once in their life, while the data concerning age are of particular interest, as there is a greater tendency towards electronic or heated cigarettes between the ages of 17-24, compared to among people aged 25+.
As regards alcohol consumption, 92.8% of all students state that they have consumed alcohol at least once in their life, while the highest percentages were recorded in the younger age groups ( 17-19 and 20-21), where it reaches 94%. It is also noted that 40% of all students stated that they drank 5 or more drinks on a single occasion during the last 30 days even once.
In addition, it was reported that in the question 'in the last 12 months, how many times did you play/bet?' 8% answered slots, 14% card or dice games, 26% Lotto, Joker, Scratch, Bingo, Keno, 17% sports betting and 3% betting animal competitions.
As Ms. Yasemi mentioned, the organizer was Insights Market Research (IMR)/University of Nicosia. The survey was conducted in 2021, with pan-Cypriot coverage and the sample selection method was random physical sampling, while 2882 students of public and private universities in Cyprus participated.
Round table discussions
After the presentation of the results, two round table discussions followed. In the first discussion entitled “Attitudes and Perceptions of young people/students”, the representative of POFEN, Savvas Kleanthos, the representative of the University of Cyprus, Dr. Panos Zanos, the Officer of the Study and Student Affairs Service of TEPAK, Georgia Fragou and the Executive Director of AAEK participated , Konstantinos Stylianou. The discussion was moderated by AAEK Board member, journalist, Nikos Symeou. During the discussion among the speakers, reasons why young people are driven to illegal substances, it was found that there is easy access to the market of illegal substances, and ways to deal with the phenomenon were noted.
The Chairman of the AAEK Board, Dr. Christos Minas, AKEL Member of Parliament, Christos Christofidis, DIKO Member of Parliament, Christos Senekis, on behalf of ELAM, Geadis Geadis, on behalf of EDEK, Morfakis Solomonidis, on behalf of DIPA-Synergasia, Thea Nikolaou, and from part of the Environmentalists-Citizens Cooperation, Efi Xanthou. Christina Kokkalou, Managing Director of IMR, was responsible for coordinating the discussion.
Mr. Christofidis stated that based on the results of the investigation there is obviously a problem and the issue is how to deal with this complex issue. There are generative causes, which have to do with what kind of society we have and how society works. He added that there is a national strategy that is the result of consultation and there should be practical implementation of the decisions. “I firmly believe that prevention is much better than repression in all matters,” he said. He also noted that there should be a holistic approach, involving all agencies, examining social impacts and incorporating the criterion of children's happiness.
Mr. Senekis noted that the AAEK research provides a tool to examine and address such a complex issue. He continued, the need for proper education of the students is identified since, according to the experts, the first use of a substance can create permanent damage. We must, he added, “examine the entry gates of these substances into our country” and noted that most quantities come from the occupied territories. He also stated that adequate information to students about the consequences of substance use, the training of teachers and the necessary support from psychologists and sociologists are key to solving the problem.
Mr. Geadi mentioned that in recent years several investigations have been presented around this specific topic and it seems that there is an increasing trend of cases that fall into the vortex of addictions. He noted that easy access, the decriminalization of drugs among a portion of the youth, as well as the current problems plaguing society, such as the opening of roadblocks that facilitate drug trafficking and illegal immigration are reasons for the increase in the percentage of people who use substances. He said that there should be exemplary punishments and proper education should be given and proper, healthy role models should be projected.
Mr. Solomonidis expressed his satisfaction for the very good work done by the Addiction Treatment Authority and underlined the issue of prevention and social support from the police, organizations and addiction centers. He added that prevention should start from childhood and noted that many times the issue of friends and whether they can lead to substances is also raised.
Mrs. Nikolaou stated that addictions are a social phenomenon and should be fought from the beginning and that prevention is the pillar in which we should invest. He added that “a person who respects himself will not allow himself to become addicted to various substances and not only. He will not allow him to harm anyone else or even himself.” He reiterated that social behavior and proper upbringing are very important aspects and children should build personalities, which will not be carried away, will not need substances, and will not allow themselves to become victims.
Ms. Xanthou stated that there is a problem and referred to cases of young people receiving psychotropic drugs and the weaknesses of services, such as the Police and drug addiction centers. He added that the management process is both about how the problem is solved and who are the right people to manage it. He noted that at the school level there should be early prevention and direct cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
