This dissertation examines the extent to which recreational drug use has become normalised among students at universities across Ireland. This exposition provides an insight into the neglected topic of such Normalisation in a contemporary setting. It asserts the extent of Normalisation through the research method of self- completed questionnaires. Drug Trying Rates (DTR), the availability of illicit drugs, rates of recent and regular use and the levels of social and cultural accommodation were investigated.

The research revealed that (82.72%) of respondents have tried an illicit substance. This statistic illustrates that there is a compelling minority of students in universities who have never consumed an illicit substance. Overall, the research found that participants from the online questionnaire establish the recreational use of cannabis as normalised. Ecstasy and amphetamines were the next most commonly used substances. Ketamine and Hallucinogens were rarely used. The primary research has found that recreational drug use has become further normalised and has moved away from its traditional association with deviancy.