The Alcohol and Drug Survey is a study conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare that collects information on the attitudes and opinions of Finnish people aged 15-69 regarding drugs and other substances, as well as on the use of various substances. The survey examines, for example, the use of illicit drugs, misuse of medicines, alcohol consumption, smoking, polysubstance use, and attitudes toward and harmful experiences related to substance use. Since 2010, the survey has also included questions concerning the use of doping substances. The Alcohol and Drug Survey is conducted every four years, and the first survey was carried out in 1992. Data have been archived in FSD since 2014. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare conducts the survey in collaboration with Statistics Finland and the Finnish Youth Research Society.
The Alcohol and Drug Survey 2022 examines substance use among the Finnish population, attitudes towards substances, and opinions on drug policy. In addition, the survey explores the simultaneous use of alcohol and other substances as well as the use of doping substances.
At the beginning of the survey, respondents' use of tobacco and nicotine products was examined by asking, for example, about the regularity of use of tobacco and nicotine products and the strength of snus and nicotine pouches. Next, questions were asked about the prevalence of alcohol use and quantities consumed. This was followed by questions on respondents' views on drugs and other substances, for example by asking respondents to evaluate statements concerning various drug policy measures (e.g. What do you think about drug consumption rooms for people who use drugs?). In addition, the survey examined general opinions on drug legislation and respondents' perceived threat posed by drugs in society. Respondents' attitudes towards the punishability of acts related to drugs and substances were also explored. The survey also examined respondents' interest in trying different drugs if they were legal.
Next, the survey examined respondents' experiences of the visibility of drugs in Finland. Respondents were asked, for example, whether they know people who use drugs and whether they have been offered drugs. In addition, respondents were asked how easy they think it would be to obtain different illicit drugs. Respondents were also asked which illicit drugs they have used, at what ages and how often, and where they had obtained the substances. In addition, the survey examined the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug use and acquisition. The survey also examined problems caused by drug use. Furthermore, the survey covered the non-medical use of various medicines, the use of nitrous oxide and solvents, and polydrug use. Thereafter, respondents' use of doping substances was examined. Finally, respondents' health status and perceived health problems were asked.
Background variables in the data include, for example, the respondent's age, education, type of neighbourhood, family status, economic activity, marital status, gender, duration of unemployment, and minority status.
The sample was drawn as a simple random sample from Statistics Finland's population database covering the Finnish population. The sample was stratified by age into two groups (15-39-year-olds and 40-69-year-olds) and by area of residence into those living within the HSY water supply service area and those living outside it. The total sample size was 8,200 individuals, of whom 3,857 responded to the survey.
Data collection began with a web survey, which was available for the entire duration of the data collection period. At a later stage, respondents were also offered the option to respond using a paper questionnaire. In total, four mailings were sent during the autumn. The first two mailings consisted of cover letters describing the study and providing instructions and personal access codes for web-based participation. The third mailing included, in addition to the web access codes, a paper questionnaire and a return envelope. The fourth mailing was a cover letter with instructions for web-based response; it also referred to the possibility of responding using the paper questionnaire sent earlier. During the data collection period, respondents were also contacted via email reminders if an email address was recorded for them in the population information system.