2014 NDSCS NDCORE ALCOHOL AND DRUG SURVEY
Summary
The NDCORE Survey was developed in conjunction with the Core Institute of Southern Illinois University to
identify high-risk drinking predictors for ND college students and used to develop evidence-based interventions
specific to North Dakota and for each campus. The NDCORE Survey contains several items about alcohol and
drugs, including questions specific to ND culture. Included are questions regarding respondent demographics,
alcohol and drug behaviors, and perceptions of alcohol and other drugs.
All undergraduate students at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) had the opportunity to be included
in this study through a stratified random sampling procedure, which included a total of 349 students. 1 Students
were drawn from all ethnic backgrounds, all colleges, and all classes (e.g. freshman, sophomore). The key findings
are summarized 2below. 3 The resulting data set is compared with data from previous NDSCS NDCORE surveys and
with the North Dakota composite data from all eleven NDUS institutions. It is also compared with the most recent
National CORE data set collected from 39,064 students nationwide in 2013.
Overall Findings
Demographics
• 49.3% of students are freshman, 38.4% are sophomore, 7.7% identified themselves as junior,
and 4.6% identified themselves as senior
• 94.3% are full-time students
• 53% are male, 38.7% are female, and 8.3% chose not to respond
• 90.1% of students are between the age of 18-22, with an average age of 20.01
• 68.6% live on-campus
• 57.8% reported they work full or part-time
Alcohol Use (Entire Population)
• The average number of drinks consumed by students per week is 5.99.
• The peak blood alcohol content (BAC) for males is 0.1105; for females it is 0.1163.
• 52.9% reported having five or more drinks at a sitting at least once over the past two weeks
• 70.4% have used alcohol within the past 30 days
• 85.7% have used alcohol at least once within the last year.
• The most common places to use alcohol were private parties (62%), their own homes (52.3%),
and in a residence hall (31.2%).
Alcohol Use (Students Under 21 Years of Age)
• The peak blood alcohol content (BAC) for males is 0.1183, for females it is 0.1190.
• 51.7% reported having five or more drinks at a sitting at least once over the past two weeks
• The most common sources for those under the age of 21 to obtain alcohol is from friends over
21 (81.4%), friends under 21 (34.7%), and parents with their consent (32.6%).
1
This analysis excluded 11 surveys completed by students who identified themselves as graduate students, non-degree
seeking, or other students, resulting in a total sample size of 349.
2
Inquiries on the entire data set can be directed to Becky Lamboley, NDUS Director of Student Affairs, at 701-224-2688 or
[email protected].
3
This report was prepared by Dr. Ericka Wentz, Research Consultant and Jane Vangsness Frisch, AVP for Student Success –
NDSCS.
Alcohol Use for Entire Student Population
Question
2014 2012 2010
Average Number of
Drinks per week
Alcohol Use within the
last 30 days
Alcohol use in the last
year
Peak BAC
Male
Female
5.99
2014 ND National*
Aggregate
4.36
4.1
5.93
7.79
70.4% 76.5%
74.9
78.6
66.6%
68.6%
85.7% 86.2%
88.5
86.9
80.4%
81.3%
.1105
.1163
.123
.125
.130
.138
.157
.118
.0950
.1016
N/A
N/A
Alcohol Use for Students Under 21
Question
2014 2012
2010
2008
6.04
8.52
Average Number of
Drinks per week
Alcohol Use within the
last 30 days
Alcohol use in the last
year
Peak BAC
Male
Female
6.09
6.73
2008
6.95
2014 ND National*
Aggregate
4.04
N/A
66.7% 74.1% 72.5% 76.8%
60.9%
N/A
84.1% 84.8%
84%
84.7%
76.4%
N/A
.1183
.1190
.12
.12
.149
.143
.164
.109
.0901
.0993
N/A
N/A
10-11
2%
12-13
6%
14-15
25.9%
Age of first use (Alcohol)
Have not used
11.5%
Under 10
2%
Abstainer and High-Risk Alcohol Use
2014
2012
Abstainers
Amount
Weekly
30 day
6+drinks/week
Frequency
3+ times/week
Five or more
drinks in a sitting
in the past 2 weeks
16-17
27.6%
18-20
21.6%
21-25
3.2%
26+
0.3%
2010
2008
2014 NDCORE
Aggregate
36.9%
29.6%
31.2%
23.5%
33.4%
25.1%
31.6%
21.4%
41.4%
33.4%
29.7%
30.3%
31.8%
34.7%
24.5%
24.1%
22.8%
26.3%
25.7%
13.8%
52.9%
56.2%
55.5%
58.4%
45.8%
2
Tobacco and Marijuana Use
• 35.2% of students used tobacco within the past 30 days
• 44.7% of students used tobacco at least once within the last year
• Marijuana was the most commonly reported illicit drug ever used by NDSCS Students
• 14.1% first used marijuana between the age of 18-20; 13.8% between the age of 16-17; 60.1%
have never used marijuana
• 16.1% of students used marijuana within the past 30 days
• 28.9% of students used marijuana at least once within the last year
• 9.9% of NDSCS students believe that marijuana is necessary for a good time
• The most common places to use marijuana were at private parties (17.4%), in a car (16.5%), or in
their own homes (11.5%).
• The most common sources used to obtain marijuana were friends at school (38.9%) or friends at
home (35.1%).
Question
Marijuana Use
within the last 30
days
Marijuana use in
the last year
2014
2012
2010
2008
2014 ND
Aggregate
National
Data*
16.1%
15.9%
16%
14.5%
14%
18.8%
28.9%
26.5%
26.7%
21%
26.3%
32.5%
Other Drugs (not including marijuana)
• The most commonly reported drugs ever used were non-medical use of prescription drugs
(7.5%), amphetamines (4.9%), hallucinogens (4.9%), and synthetic drugs (4.9%).
• The most frequently reported drugs used within the past 30 days were amphetamines (0.9%),
non-medical use of prescription drugs (0.6%) and steroids (0.6%).
• The most frequently reported drugs used within the last year were non-medical use of
prescription drugs (3.7%), amphetamines (1.7%), and cocaine (1.7%).
Medical Marijuana and Non-medical use of prescription drugs
• 0.6% report currently, or in the past, having a prescription for medical marijuana
• The most common sources to obtain non-medically used prescription drugs were friends (35%)
and doctors (21%).
3
Campus Policies
% of Students that
are familiar with campus
policies regarding alcohol
and drugs
reported having
knowledge of alcohol and
drug prevention
program(s) on campus
believe NDSCS is
concerned about the
prevention of alcohol and
drug use
are actively involved in
efforts to prevent alcohol
and drug use on campus
2014
2012
2010
2008
2014
Aggregate
National
Data*
95.9%
97.3%
97%
95.8%
93.4%
90.8%
57.4%
48.7%
43.5%
42.7%
44.5%
52.2%
76.9%
81.5%
79.4%
81.9%
75.2%
76.5%
10.2%
9.9%
9.9%
9.5%
10.1%
N/A
Campus Climate
Percent of students
that:
believe alcohol is
necessary for a good
time
prefer that alcohol be
available in social
settings
prefer that drugs be
available in social
settings
believe their lives are
unaffected by other
students’ alcohol use
believe that there are
enough alcohol-free
activities where they
live
2014
2012
12.8%
64.6%
2014
Aggregate
National
Data*
17.2% 13.6% 22.5%
10.2%
N/A
67.8% 73.8% 68.7%
63.3%
69.5%
13.7% 11.4%
14.6%
19.2%
69.9%
64.9% 73.6% 69.5%
75.2%
N/A
48.1%
39.5% 36.1% 32.9%
48%
N/A
14.7%
13%
2010
2008
4
High-Risk Consequences during the Last Year (due to drinking and/or drug use)
2014
2012 2010 2008
2014
National
Aggregate
Data*
had at least one hangover
61%
65.5%
72%
66.8%
59.7%
58.3%
became nauseated or
49.6% 50.1% 56.4% 59.9%
46.4%
49.4%
vomited at least once
reported doing something
27.2% 34.3%
32%
44.7%
28%
32.3%
they later regretted
had a memory loss at least
26.7%
31%
32.6% 36.8%
27.7%
32%
once
got into an argument or
25.8% 30.2%
34%
41.9%
25.6%
25.2%
fight
missed a class 19.9% 28.7% 31.2% 32.1%
22%
23.8%
reported driving a car
27.2% 36.3% 44.8% 44.4%
21.6%
16.5%
while under the influence
were criticized by
25.8%
29%
26%
35.6%
23.1%
26.4%
someone they know
performed poorly on a
20.8% 28.6% 30.4% 35.8%
18.6%
18.8%
test or project
reported getting hurt or
13%
16.6% 17.1% 22.2%
10.9%
13.7%
injured
had been in trouble with
21%
12.1%
10.4%
police, residence hall, or 14.5% 15.7% 20.6%
campus authorities
thought they might have a
9.5%
11.9%
9%
13.4%
8%
9%
drinking or drug problem
damaged property, pulled
4.9%
6.1%
8.1%
7.6%
4.4%
4.5%
a fire alarm, etc.
attempted to quit
5.2%
6.1%
3.6%
7%
3.7%
4.1%
unsuccessfully
reported taking advantage
4.6%
2.3%
1.2%
5.2%
2.2%
1.9%
of someone sexually
seriously thought about
5.2%
5.5%
8.1%
7.9%
4.2%
4.4%
suicide
were arrested for a
2%
2.1%
3.3%
5.2%
1%
1%
DUI/DWI
seriously attempted
1.7%
2%
2.1%
4.6%
1.2%
1.2%
suicide
•
•
13.6% of survey respondents reported that they had been taken advantage of sexually while under the
influence of alcohol or other drugs.
21.4% believe that stricter campus policies, state laws, or city ordinances would deter them from using
alcohol
o 37.3% believe expulsion from college would be the most effective deterrent
o 29.4% believe fines/fees would be the most effective deterrent
5
Consequences (due to marijuana use)
Irritability
Nervousness or anxiety
Sleep difficulty (e.g. insomnia,
disturbing dreams)
Decreased appetite or weight
loss
Increased appetite or weight
gain
Restlessness, difficulty
focusing/attention
Depressed mood
At least one of the following
physical symptoms causing
significant discomfort:
abdominal pain,
shakiness/tremors, fever, chills,
or headache
Difficulty remembering or
recalling information
2014 NDSCS
17.8%
37.3%
2014 Aggregate
17.1%
35.5%
12.7%
11.2%
11.9%
8.6%
35.6%
46.2%
25.4%
17%
12.7%
10.2%
11.9%
10.2%
23.7%
26.9%
Parental Influence
• 73.9% believe that their parents’ expectations or rules about alcohol is an effective way to limit
their alcohol consumption.
• 76.1% believe that their parents’ expectations or rules about tobacco is an effective way to limit
their tobacco consumption
• 86.6% believe that their parents’ expectations or rules about other drugs is an effective way to
limit their drug consumption
• 46% report that their parents have talked to them regarding their drinking behavior
• 70.4% of students report that their parents talked to them about their expectations regarding
their alcohol use.
Student Involvement and Sexual Assault
NDSCS Student Involvement
Intercollegiate Athlete
Intramural/Club Sport
Student Government
Resident Assistant
Fine Arts (e.g., choir, band, theater)
Other Student Organization
10%
12.4%
3.3%
4.2%
5.4%
26%
6
Sexual Assault
• 8.2% of students reported they had been sexually assaulted since becoming a student at NDSCS
• 51.2% said that if they or a friend was sexually assaulted, they would report it to campus police
o 38% would report to city police or sheriff’s department
o 28.2% would report to NDSCS Counselor
o 24.2% would report to a friend
o 23.6% would report to Student Health (Campus Nurse)
o 21.2% would report to a family member
o 15% would report to a faculty or staff member
o 14.7% would report to a Residence life staff member
o 3.1% would report to Clergy
o 9.5% would not report the assault to anyone on campus
References
*Southern Illinois University Carbondale/CORE Institute. (2014). CORE Drug and Alcohol Survey,
Retrieved February 25, 2015 from http://www.core.siuc.edu.
Please use the following citation to reference the information in this report:
ND University System. (2015). NDCORE 2014 North Dakota State College of Science Alcohol and Other Drug
Survey Report. Bismarck, ND: ND Higher Education Consortium for Substance Abuse Prevention.
April 2015
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