The Dutch students reported about the same prevalence of alcohol use during the last 12 months (85%) as the average for all ESPAD countries (83%). However, the proportion that had been drunk during the same period was lower (46 compared to 53%). Less students in the Netherlands had ever smoked (57%) compared to the average (66%). Also the proportion that had smoked during the last 30 days was a little lower than the average (31 and 35% respectively). Lifetime use of cannabis was more frequent in the Netherlands than the average for other countries (28 compared to 21%).

On the other hand was use of any other drug than cannabis similar to that of other ESPAD countries (6%). Less students had been using inhalants in the Netherlands (6%) compared to the average (10%). Use of tranquillisers or sedatives was reported by 8% and use of pills in combination with alcohol by 4%. The average among other ESPAD countries was 6 and 7% respectively.