STUDENTS WANT FACILITY TO TEST ECSTASY TABLETS

Almost nine out of 10 college students believe the drug ecstasy is "part of
the clubbing scene". And around three-quarters of students believe testing
of the drug should be available, according to a survey by the Union of
Students in Ireland (USI).

The survey of 1,000 second-year college students, to be published this
afternoon, found that 80 per cent of students surveyed in 40 colleges North
and South have taken an illegal drug.

One in 20 took their first illegal drugs while in primary school.

More than 60 per cent of students said they considered the dance policies of
nightclubs to be "not safe enough" and only 14 per cent said ecstasy was not
"part of the clubbing scene".

Last year the USI called for safety tests on ecstasy tablets. A spokeswoman
said the results of the survey showed that students agreed with this, with
74 per cent of students saying there should be testing at clubs.

The survey also found that 72 per cent of drug-using students took their
first drugs in secondary school, with only 23 per cent experimenting for the
first time in college. More than one in two students said that drugs were
"part of their social lives".

Police in Britain have estimated that one million ecstasy tablets are
consumed there every week. Gardai will not speculate on Irish consumption
levels, but point to the increasing numbers of large seizures of the
tablets.

Much of the ecstasy reaching Britain and Ireland is manufactured in eastern
Europe, especially Poland, and shipped through Holland. The survey also
found that cannabis was the most popular first drug, with 47 per cent of
students saying it was their first drug. Ten per cent used ecstasy and 9 per
cent used amphetamines, or "speed".

LSD, or "acid", was the first drug used by 8 per cent, with a similar number
using "poppers" and "magic mushrooms". One per cent said they had used
heroin as a first drug and 3 per cent said it had been cocaine.

More than one in four mixed their first illegal drug with alcohol.

Most students said they took drugs out of curiosity. More than 80 per cent
said anti-drugs campaigns would not stop them from taking drugs.

USI president Mr Colman Byrne said the survey indicated a lack of drugs
education for students and called on the Government to provide adequate
information in partnership with USI.

Checked-by: "Rolf Ernst"