The Northern Ireland Union of Students, NUS-USI, has launched a new drugs education campaign to give students "real information" about drugs.

At the centre of the campaign is a 44-page booklet, Drugs - a Survival Guide for Students, published by NUS-USI with the support of the Eastern Drugs Coordination Team.

"The booklet is unique in that it has no underlying theme and makes no moral judgment," says NUS-USI convenor Brian Slevin. "This campaign is designed to inform students of the realities of drug use, we would prefer they read the booklet and made up their own minds."

The booklet details both the highs and lows associated with 14 different types of drug and the health and legal consequences of drug use. Slevin says NUS-USI is not condoning drug taking, but is providing much needed information.

"We're not condemning or encouraging the use of drugs, it's up to the individual to decide, but we hope that this survival guide will minimise the risks than can occur in substance abuse."

The Minister of Higher and Further Education in Northern Ireland, Sean Farren, has welcomed the campaign. "It will complement existing provision in this area and can go a significant way to making a real difference to the lives of many young people who are embarking on a path to further and higher education," he said.