Marijuana is the drug of choice for Kingston students, with over 40% of students admitting to using the drug, according to a recent River survey of over 100 students.
The second-most popular drug is cocaine, chosen by over one in ten students, followed by MDMA, the drug of choice for one in twenty.
The Tab’s annual survey of university drug usage reveals a similar trend, with London’s students more likely to smoke weed than take any other drug, contrasting with the other regions in England and Wales.
An anonymous weed-smoking second-year student described their use of the drug as “excessive” and stated that they are “probably addicted” but in “denial” about the toll it takes on their studies.
The survey also revealed that one in five students take drugs at least once a day.
An anonymous student spoke of the impact regular drug consumption has had on their academic performance: “I only started smoking [marijuana] every day last semester, and I went from a 1st last year to a 2:2 this year.” They continued: “It has definitely affected the standard of my work, but it also helps me destress from a busy course, so it’s quite hard to balance.”
70% of Kingston University students admitted to using drugs at some point throughout their studies, which would place Kingston 13th in the rankings for “druggiest university”, according to The Tab’s preexisting survey of 23 Russell Group Institutions.
On average, Kingston students who take drugs are spending £35 a month on their habit, taking a £420 hit to their budgets annually.
An anonymous student described the impact this has on their finances: “Things are tight, let’s put it like that. Sometimes, I spend my food money on coke for the weekend and then eat cereal for a few days.”
Naomi Aldridge
Jade Oates
Fin Doubleday