The relationship between alcohol use and other drug use among New York State college students

A questionnaire dealing with alcohol and drug use was administered to a representative sample of 7723 New York State undergraduate students. Those students who were heavy drinkers were also more likely to use tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs. Factor analysis revealed patterns of use of four distinct types of drugs: "party" drugs, medical sedatives, inhalants, and psychedelic drugs. Users of party drugs were typically male, white and American-born. Sedative users were typically female, white and older students. Inhalant users were typically male, while psychedelic drug users tended to be white Americans of either sex.