Preliminary survey in Christchurch

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 13

Preliminary survey in Christchurch

For all the talk about young people and drug use in New Zealand surprisingly little research has been carried out into just what is happening and why. But in Christchurch a start has been and two initial surveys have established:—

Drugs are being used by secondary school pupils, mainly girls in senior forms and the drugs are amphetamines or “pep pills.” There is also some drug use in the University of Canterbury, and indications are it is increasing. Sleeping pills and marijuana top the list of drugs used.

Both men involved in the surveys, Mr W. Meates, school counsellor and careers adviser at Aranui High School, and Mr David Riley, a post-graduate student in psychology at the University of Canterbury, emphasise the superficial nature of their research, and the scope for further investigation. But in questionnaires to all Christchurch secondary schools, State and independent, Mr Meates found 30 cases of drug use, 29 of which were girls and one boy. This was out of a total of 19,405 pupils. The bulk of drugs used were “pep pills” or amphetamines, according to Mr Meates. He says there were a number of cases of “pot” or marijuana suspected, but nothing was proven. The questionnaire to school principals and counsellors asked whether rumours had been heard of drugs being used by pupils, and whether cases had been investigated. As Mr Meates pointed out, however, investigation of rumours is extremely difficult “Pep pills” Of the 30 pupils involved in drug use, six were in the fourth form, two-in the fifth, 21 in the sixth and one in the seventh form. Mr Meates says reasons for taking “pep pills” appear to be examination and other strain, and a desire to experiment He is at a loss to explain why the overwhelming majority should be girls. Although the proportion at this stage is small, he sees greater problems ahead as being inevitable, and says teachers will have to become more aware of signs and symptoms. And in informing children, there is a need for an unemotional presentation of facts about drugs. Mr Meates also sees a need for a co-ordination of authorities to deal with the problem in the future. “We have had warning so we must be prepared,” sums up his attitude. As part of the requirements for a master’s degree, Mr Riley has set out to discuss some of the factors associated with drug use among university students. He has Government approval for his investigations, part of which included a mailed questionnaire to a sample of 400 male students in their third or later university year. Based on a 91 per cent return, he found the following percentages of students who indicated they used these drugs “without any prior medical approval”: Per cent Sleeping pills .. 13.8 Marijuana ..' 12.6 Tranquilisers .. 92 Amphetamines .. ‘ 7.8 LJS.D 1.1 Opiates .. .. 1.1 The most surprising thing in these results, poitns out Mr Riley, is the high rate of sleeping pill use. But he says it is probable that this applies to the practice of self-medication; in other words, the borrowing of a flat-mate’s sleeping pills to get to sleep, rather than a deliberate desire to “get high.” Mr Riley stresses that so far his data are only tentative, but he is investigating some of the more marked trends through interviews. Looking at his conclusions to date, however, it seems drug use in the university is on the increase. “Drug sub-culture” He says the majority of students who had smoked marijuana had done so fewer than five times, and of these about half had done so in the weeks immediately proceeding the survey. “This at least indicates that marijuana use is a fairly cui;ent activity, and the vast

majority of users in this sample indicated they had no plans -for terminating its use,” he adds. A “drug sub-culture” is recognised by Mr Riley and he says users appear to be characterised by definite sets of values and attitudes which are not so frequent among non-users. Smoking “pot” appears to be a social activity, he has found. And this is indicated by the remarkably consistent replies of drug users to a wide variety of questions. It is also suggested by the almost unanimous reporting by drug users of similar activity among their friends. Another indicaation is in responses to such a question, as, “How do you usually smoke marijuana?” Most indicate they do so in small groups of friends. Canterbury University students also appear to have the opportunity to take drugs, although the extent of this might depend on where they are living. But the survey shows that 26 per cent had the opportunity to take marijuana, and figures for the other drugs are: amphetamines, 7 per cent; opiates, 7 per cent, and L.S.D. 8 per cent. A “significant minority” of students indicated they would take these drugs if they had a chance. Again marijuana was the most popular choice, with 31 per cent of students indicating they would take it, followed by L.S.D., 8 per cent; amphetamines, 6 per cent, and opiates, 1 per cent. takes drugs? What type of students take drugs? Mr Riley says he compared marijuana users with non-marijuana users and found that distribution of drug users among the various departments of the university was markedly uneven. But the highest users were students in the arts and fine arts faculties. They were followed by science, commerce and law, the lowest rate being for engineering students. There is also a relationship between the number of years a student has been at the university. The rate of reported marijuana use increased steadily from the third to the sixth year, and declined sharply after this. “Home living conditions were also found to be related to use,” Mr Riley finds. “The majority of users were found to live in flats, while very low' rates were found among students living in hostels and in private board.” Another interesting factor discovered by Mr Riley wasthat there are marked differences between those who take drugs and those who don’t in questions of sex, politics and religion. “Most users were found to be politically leftish, or apolitical. They disclaimed any religious affiliations. “Users also indicated that they indulged more in sexual activities than non-users,” he found. Marijuana users were also found to use more of the socially approved drugs—alcohol and tobacco—than non-users. But apparently, according to the survey, drug-taking had no significant effect on success at university study. The marijuana user, says Mr Riley, does not appear to be a university drop-out. Other variables which did not result in significant differences between users and non-users were membership of university clubs and parents’ family income. Mr Riley does point out, however, that results must not be interpreted as indicating causes for drug-taking. It would be quite wrong, he says, to assume that because drug users disclaim any religious affiliations, doing something to stimulate the religious participation

will in any way influence their use of drugs. He says some different type of research would be needed to demonstrate this point. Mr Riley makes the point that little is known about the drug user, as distinct from the student who does not use them. Although there is intense debate, most authorities agree more research is needed. He also points out that it is frequently held that the illicit use of drugs is a response to some form of personality maladjustment. But studies in this field do not tell us much about the average drug user because they deal with people who have received medical treatment after an adverse reaction to one of the stronger thallucinogens. Obviously, however, this is only a fraction of the people who illicitly use drugs, and may not be typical. Complex Another problem is that frequently in studies already made no control groups have been employed. By this Mr Riley means that having obtained some results by studying a group of drug users, no attempt has been made to compare these with data obtained from an ordinary group who don’t use drugs. We can really say very little about the personality of drug users, according to Mr Riley, and we should beware of jumping to hasty conclusions based on a minimum of data. The personality of the drug user is only part of the story. Is introduction to drugs influenced by the company one keeps? What are the values and attitudes held by the drug user? What are his reactions to authority? In attempting to answer these questions, says Mr Riley, New Zealand should be cautious in applying the results of American student surveys to our situation. However, neither the psychological approach nor the sociological view will provide us with all the answers about illicit drug use, he adds. Rather both sets of factors must be considered in relation to one another. Only when this-is done, Mr Riley adds, will we arrive at some understanding of this complex phenomenon.