The extent of drug use among Egyptian male university students

The main aim of the present study was to provide factual information regarding the extent of non-medical use of substances among university students. A subsidiary purpose was to shed light on the aetiology of such use. A standardized questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of male students at Cairo and Ein-Shams Universities (N = 2711) both situated in Greater Cairo. Demographic and drug use related data are discussed. Among the interesting results are the following: ages of onset for using any drug are delayed, compared with corresponding ages among secondary school pupils; the percentage of young men who tried stimulants was much bigger than the respective percentage among secondary school boys; the proportions who reported continuing with drug abuse until time of interviewing ranged between about 10% and 31% of those who 'ever tried' drugs; highly significant association between exposure to elements of a 'drug culture' and drug abuse is underlined; meaningful association between drug use and beliefs about effects of such use is established.