One in five Kingston students have tried MDMA, survey shows
Mantel picks ‘perfect’ winner in short story competition Tonje Odegard CONTROVERSIAL author, Hilary Mantel, said she chose to get involved with Kingston Writing School not only to help aspiring writers, but also to develop her own writing. The author of the short story collection, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher, said she also joined the competition to promote and boost the short story industry, a section of fiction she thinks is not valued enough. “In career terms we tend to think of short stories as an inferior form, but I love short stories,” Mantel told The River. She added: “Working with young people and trying to give
them a hand entering into their creative difficulties is a great stimulus to your own imagination. “It is not a one way street where only the established writer is helping the wannabe writer; it is something that floats both ways.” The winner, competing against over 500 submitted stories from across the English speaking world, was the Australian single mum, Michelle Cahill.She was awarded the prize for her story, Duende, a tribute to the work of Spanish poet, Duende, and of Spanish culture and romance. Cahill read out parts of her story to the audience. Cahill said she was delighted and honoured that her long-time fan and source of inspiration, Hilary Mantel, liked her story, who
said it was “perfect”. “I still cannot believe I won,” she said. “When they told me a couple of weeks ago I just started doing housework to ease my mind.” Mantel, one of Britain’s most celebrated authors ended up giving a master class in how to write short stories to the lucky crowd of aspiring writers, shortlisted finalists and fans, who had been invited to lunch with her at the Strada restaurant in Kingston. One of her top tips was: “Imagine that you are standing in your story at a point of balance and power and you throw out a lasso. Very gently, certain situations, certain conversations and certain hints can be drawn in to
the first time they had tried drugs was when they were under 18, with 25 per cent of students first trying drugs when they were between 18 and 24 years old. Shapiro said: “Government statistics show year after year that young people in the 16-24 age bracket are more likely than those aged 24-59 to take drugs.” “Unfortunately, a minority of students may run into problems with drugs and alcohol, particularly if they are using them to cope with loneliness, social anxiety or mental health problems; student welfare and support services should be able to help. Others will experience negative side effects, as a result of over-indulgence, mixing drugs and alcohol, or taking something unexpected. “Look out for your friends and don’t hesitate to call an ambulance if someone seems to be reacting badly to a drug - you won’t get into trouble, and you could save their life.” Cannabis was the main drug choice for both men and women, although it was the preferred drug for women by a large margin compared to any other drug at Kingston University. Cannabis was used by 43 per cent of those surveyed overall. Ecstasy and MDMA was the second most used drug amongst those surveyed with 22 per cent of students saying that they had
used it at least once in their lifetime. One student, who claimed he sold drugs to others on campus, said: “Students are my main buyers. I have a lot of regulars, and people who see me once a month or less. “I’d say 90 per cent of my customers are male, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t buying for females too. Cannabis and ecstasy are purchased the most.” Over half of those surveyed admitted to taking drugs at least once in their lifetime. They gave various reasons for taking drugs, such as a sense of closeness to loved ones, going into a different state of mind and because they find it fun. KU creative technology student, Stuart Santos, 39, said he has had positive experiences with drug taking. After feeling depressed and suicidal in the 1990s, he found himself at a rave and took MDMA, making him feel like he wanted to live again. Although admitting he does not take drugs as regularly as he once did, he has become a much happier person: “There is a massive difference between drug abuse and drug use, there is no denying that there are positive and negative aspects but some of the positive aspects are swept under the carpet.” COMMENT ON PAGE 9
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Mantel with the winner Michelle Cahill EZZIDIN ALWAN the focal point. You cannot just lor Julius Weinberg at the lunch, throw out that rope at random said she was impressed by Manand see what you catch. It is a tel’s words. much disciplined form.” “Mantel was mind-blowing and KU Chancellor Bonnie Greer, her genius and generosity was who accompanied Vice Chancel- very moving,” she said.
One in five Kingston students have tried MDMA, survey shows Lisa Leid WOMEN at Kingston University are more likely to take drugs than women nationally, according to a survey conducted by The River. The research showed that both sexes were equally likely to have taken drugs, although men were more likely to take them regularly, and experiment with different types. Women were more likely to have experimented only once or a few times in their life. The research surveyed 510 students anonymously across Penrhyn Road, Knights Park and Kingston Hill campuses According to statistics from the Department of Health, men are three times more likely to take drugs, based on the rates of treatment for drug abuse. Harry Shapiro, a spokesperson from DrugScope, the UK’s leading independent centre of expertise on drugs and drug use, said: “Given this context, the findings of The River survey are not especially surprising. “For young adults who are at university experimentation with illicit drugs - along with drinking large quantities of alcohol - is not uncommon. Most students will use drugs recreationally and will come to little harm as a consequence.” Three quarters of students at Kingston University stated that
KU students prefer cannabis
How often do you take drugs?
What drugs have you taken?
them a hand entering into their creative difficulties is a great stimulus to your own imagination. “It is not a one way street where only the established writer is helping the wannabe writer; it is something that floats both ways.” The winner, competing against over 500 submitted stories from across the English speaking world, was the Australian single mum, Michelle Cahill.She was awarded the prize for her story, Duende, a tribute to the work of Spanish poet, Duende, and of Spanish culture and romance. Cahill read out parts of her story to the audience. Cahill said she was delighted and honoured that her long-time fan and source of inspiration, Hilary Mantel, liked her story, who
said it was “perfect”. “I still cannot believe I won,” she said. “When they told me a couple of weeks ago I just started doing housework to ease my mind.” Mantel, one of Britain’s most celebrated authors ended up giving a master class in how to write short stories to the lucky crowd of aspiring writers, shortlisted finalists and fans, who had been invited to lunch with her at the Strada restaurant in Kingston. One of her top tips was: “Imagine that you are standing in your story at a point of balance and power and you throw out a lasso. Very gently, certain situations, certain conversations and certain hints can be drawn in to
the first time they had tried drugs was when they were under 18, with 25 per cent of students first trying drugs when they were between 18 and 24 years old. Shapiro said: “Government statistics show year after year that young people in the 16-24 age bracket are more likely than those aged 24-59 to take drugs.” “Unfortunately, a minority of students may run into problems with drugs and alcohol, particularly if they are using them to cope with loneliness, social anxiety or mental health problems; student welfare and support services should be able to help. Others will experience negative side effects, as a result of over-indulgence, mixing drugs and alcohol, or taking something unexpected. “Look out for your friends and don’t hesitate to call an ambulance if someone seems to be reacting badly to a drug - you won’t get into trouble, and you could save their life.” Cannabis was the main drug choice for both men and women, although it was the preferred drug for women by a large margin compared to any other drug at Kingston University. Cannabis was used by 43 per cent of those surveyed overall. Ecstasy and MDMA was the second most used drug amongst those surveyed with 22 per cent of students saying that they had
used it at least once in their lifetime. One student, who claimed he sold drugs to others on campus, said: “Students are my main buyers. I have a lot of regulars, and people who see me once a month or less. “I’d say 90 per cent of my customers are male, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t buying for females too. Cannabis and ecstasy are purchased the most.” Over half of those surveyed admitted to taking drugs at least once in their lifetime. They gave various reasons for taking drugs, such as a sense of closeness to loved ones, going into a different state of mind and because they find it fun. KU creative technology student, Stuart Santos, 39, said he has had positive experiences with drug taking. After feeling depressed and suicidal in the 1990s, he found himself at a rave and took MDMA, making him feel like he wanted to live again. Although admitting he does not take drugs as regularly as he once did, he has become a much happier person: “There is a massive difference between drug abuse and drug use, there is no denying that there are positive and negative aspects but some of the positive aspects are swept under the carpet.” COMMENT ON PAGE 9
News
7
Mantel with the winner Michelle Cahill EZZIDIN ALWAN the focal point. You cannot just lor Julius Weinberg at the lunch, throw out that rope at random said she was impressed by Manand see what you catch. It is a tel’s words. much disciplined form.” “Mantel was mind-blowing and KU Chancellor Bonnie Greer, her genius and generosity was who accompanied Vice Chancel- very moving,” she said.
One in five Kingston students have tried MDMA, survey shows Lisa Leid WOMEN at Kingston University are more likely to take drugs than women nationally, according to a survey conducted by The River. The research showed that both sexes were equally likely to have taken drugs, although men were more likely to take them regularly, and experiment with different types. Women were more likely to have experimented only once or a few times in their life. The research surveyed 510 students anonymously across Penrhyn Road, Knights Park and Kingston Hill campuses According to statistics from the Department of Health, men are three times more likely to take drugs, based on the rates of treatment for drug abuse. Harry Shapiro, a spokesperson from DrugScope, the UK’s leading independent centre of expertise on drugs and drug use, said: “Given this context, the findings of The River survey are not especially surprising. “For young adults who are at university experimentation with illicit drugs - along with drinking large quantities of alcohol - is not uncommon. Most students will use drugs recreationally and will come to little harm as a consequence.” Three quarters of students at Kingston University stated that
KU students prefer cannabis
How often do you take drugs?
What drugs have you taken?
