Table EYE-3. School surveys: percentage lifetime prevalence of psychoactive substance use among students aged 15-16 years

Notes:

 This table aims to present data on 15- to 16-year-old school students obtained from national surveys. Exceptionally some relevant regional surveys are presented. In all of the school surveys the method for data collection was classroom based, anonymous, self-completion questionnaires in written test conditions.       

 Figures from surveys with small sample sizes should be interpreted with caution.       

 Previously published figures may have been revised and therefore are not necessarily comparable with those in previous EMCDDA publications.       

 Caution is required comparing figures due to methodological limitations. For methods and definitions see Studies of youth and the schools populations – methods and definitions.       

 ESPAD                           

 ESPAD (the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) 1995 and 1999 is coordinated by the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN) and the Council of Europe (Pompidou Group). ESPAD prevalence figures are taken from published ESPAD reports and may differ sometimes from those reported directly by Member States.       

 HBSC (WHO)                           

 HBSC (Health behaviour in school-aged children) introduced mandatory cannabis questions for the first time in 2001/2002. Two optional extended questionnaires (Ext and Short) include other drugs. These questions are based on the ESPAD questionnaire.        

 (a) LSD and other hallucinogens: includes LSD only.       

 (b) HBSC German figures are based on regional samples only (Berlin, Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony).       

 (c) Heroin: excludes heroin smoking.       

 (d) Data included in 1995 ESPAD report but not strictly comparable (based on an earlier survey).       

 (e) Ecstasy: includes other synthetic drugs. LSD and other hallucinogens: includes poppers/amyl nitrate.       

 (f) Ecstasy: includes LSD.       

 (g) Cocaine: includes cocaine powder only. Heroin: includes only by smoking heroin.       

 (h) LSD and other hallucinogens: includes LSD only. Cocaine: includes cocaine powder only. Heroin: includes only by smoking heroin.       

 (i) Interpret with caution as sample size is small.       

 (j) Figures included in 1999 ESPAD report but not strictly comparable, as the sample was not drawn according to ESPAD guidelines.       

 (k) Cocaine: includes 'hard' drugs.       

 (l) Caution is required comparing figures from Portugal as the mean age of the sample is higher than in any other EU Member State.       

 (m) Cocaine: includes cocaine powder only.       

 (n) ESPAD methods are adopted to varying degrees.       

 (o) Only 15 year-old students are included in UK ONS and Scottish Executive school surveys.        

 (p) ESPAD 2003 Germany figures are based on six regions only (Bavaria, Brandenburg, Berlin, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Thuringia). Turkey figures are based on one major city in each of 6 different regions (Adana, Ankara, Diyarbakir, Istanbul, Izmir and Samsun).   

 (q) Interpret with caution as sample size is small and private and vocational schools are excluded.                 

 (r) Inhalants excludes poppers/amyl nitrate which are included in 'other' drugs.       

 (s) The sample size given for these surveys is for a wider age range than 15 to 16 years.       

 (t) Inhalants are adjusted for underreporting of butyl nitrites.       

 (u) Amphetamines includes only drug use not under a doctor's order.       

Sources:

 For sources see Table Prevalence-0. School Surveys: Sources.