Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Open Access

Abstract

Alcohol Price Considerations on Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use in University Students

Peter G Miller and Nicolas Droste

Background: This study investigates alcohol price and proposed substance use amongst Australian tertiary students.

Methods: Participants were recruited in 2009 via facebook, and were asked to complete a 34-item internetbased survey. 512 people took part, 485 fit the inclusion criteria.

Results: The sample consisted predominately of young (mean age 20.3 years), female (66%) university students. Higher alcohol prices resulted in increased consideration of illicit substances as an alternative indicating a substitution effect, although the majority (60%) of respondents would never consider using ecstasy.

Conclusion: Results indicate substantial room to increase the price of alcohol to achieve alcohol consumption reduction without likely substitution behavior.