RELIGION AND RELIGIOSITY: ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND MARIJUANA CONSUMPTION AMONG SCOTTISH POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS

Abstract

The PURPOSE of this study was to determine if religious preference and importance of religion had an effect on recreational drug use. METHODS: The Queensland Alcohol and Drug Questionnaire was used to assess alcohol tobacco an marijuana use of helping profession students in Scotland. RESULTS: Roman Catholic's and those with no religious preferences consumed significantly higher mean units of alcoholic beverages compared to the other groups. In addition a higher percent of Roman Catholics consumed over 28 drinks per week. Students to whom religion was not important consumed significantly more units compared to those to whom religion was important. In regards to smoking, a significantly higher proportion of student who identified their religious preference as the Church of Scotland were non-smokers compared to the other groups. Those to whom religion was important consumed almost half the number of cigarettes per week compare to those to whom religion was not important. Those students who gave their religious preference as Church of Scotland were significantly less likely to smoke marijuana compared to other groups. Students who considered religion important were significantly less likely to smoke marijuana. it was CONCLUDED that religious adherence prevents at risk drInking, smoking and marihuana use among this sample of students.