At NC State University, like most other higher educational institutions in the United States, a majority of students report drinking alcohol. However, most students don’t drink as much as they think they do. That’s great news! However, alcohol and other drug use is still a major issue.

In the spring of 2004 the university participated in the CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey. 1051 NC State students participated. Following are some of the results:

• 66% of students under the age of 21 consumed alcohol in the last month.
• 79% consumed alcohol in the past year, thus 21% did not consume alcohol in the past year.
• 18% reported that they have never consumed alcohol.
• Binge drinking rate for the N.C. State campus: 45%. (The average binge-drinking rate of universities in our reference group is 42%).
• 28% used marijuana at least once in the past year – 17% used at least once in the past month.
• 95% have not used cocaine in the past year.
• 96% have not used hallucinogens in the past year.
• 97% have not use designer drugs (ecstasy, MDMA) in the past year.
• 70% have not used tobacco in the past 30 days.

Risk of alcohol and other drug related problems among students who had a drink or some other type of drug in the past year:

• 61% had a hangover.
• 54% got nauseated or vomited.
• 35% missed a class.
• 25% got behind in their schoolwork.

With regard to students’ perceptions of other students’ use:

• 49% of believe the average student on this campus uses some form of illegal drug at least once a week. However, only approximately 17% have used some form of illegal drug within a 30-day period of the survey.
• 28% indicated they would prefer not to have alcohol available at parties they attend.
• 82% indicated they would prefer not to have drugs available at parties they attend.