The Student Life Cycle
Welcome to The Student Life Cycle! I am Yana Haydar, your host and virtual best friend. This podcast will cycle with you through your student life, whether you have just arrived or been here a long time. Through exploring niche topics and Groningen gems to broader issues and tips, I aim to make your life as enjoyable and memorable as it should be. Want to be on the show or have an idea? Feel free to reach out via: prcommittee@esn-groningen.nl
The Student Life Cycle
Mental health check: Drug and Alcohol Use Among Students with Bill de Smeth
This time Yulian is joined by Bill de Smeth - prevention worker at Verslavingszorg Noord Nederland - to talk about drug and alcohol use among students in higher education institutions in the Netherlands.
To get started, Bill settles the debate of what is considered a drug and explains what the different types of drugs are. Next, Yulian and Bill discuss the findings of a 2021 report on the drug use and mental well-being of university students in the Netherlands. Contrary to popular belief - drug use is not as widespread. Furthermore, they will walk you through why students take drugs in the Netherlands (i.e. misconceptions of Dutch attitude toward drugs), when the consumption of drugs and alcohol starts becoming a problem, and how to prevent that. Tune in to learn everything you need to know about drugs and alcohol, how to use them safely, and what VNN offers if you need help.
Any questions or in need of assistance? Call VNN at 088 234 34 34 or visit https://www.vnn.nl/ to learn more.
Need a confidential listening ear? Call the 24/7 national listening line at 088 0767 000 or visit https://www.deluisterlijn.nl/.
VNN's anonymous drug testing service: https://www.vnn.nl/meer-over-middelen/drugstestservice.
Statistics used in the episode: Monitor Mentale gezondheid en Middelengebruik Studenten hoger onderwijs - Part 1, Part 2.