France

Key results 2015

For three of the eight key variables the French results were more or less in line with the ESPAD average. This was true for lifetime use of illicit drugs other than cannabis, inhalants and NPS. Heavy episodic drinking during the last 30 days was slightly less commonly reported (31 % versus 35 %), while the four remaining measures were above the average. The most striking difference was that 31 % of the French students reported lifetime use of cannabis, compared to the overall average of 16 %. At least in relative terms, lifetime use of tranquillisers or sedatives without prescription was also definitely more common in France. Last-30-day use of cigarettes and alcohol, respectively, were only slightly higher (5 percentage points) in France compared to the average. Even though lifetime cannabis use was twice as common in France, the overall impression, in the ESPAD context, is that substance use among French students did not differ substantially from the overall average.

Country facts:
Area: 544000 km2
Population: 62,8 million