About ESPAD

Introduction

The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) was initiated in response to the lack of comparable data on substance use among European teenagers. To address this, a common methodological protocol was developed in the early 1990s, including a master questionnaire. For practical reasons, the survey is conducted in classrooms among students who turn 16 during the year of data collection.

The ESPAD survey

ESPAD is a cross-sectional study that investigates substance use and other forms of risk behaviour among European students aged 15 to 16. The survey is typically conducted every four years. Since its first implementation in 1995, the project has grown significantly, reaching a record 37 participating countries and 113,882 students in 2024—marking 30 years of collaborative research.

ESPAD is an independent project managed by national institutions and researchers. Since 2016, it has been coordinated by the Italian National Research Council (CNR-IFC) and supported by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA).

Objectives

The primary aim of ESPAD is to collect reliable and comparable data on substance use and other risk behaviours among 15- to 16-year-old students. This data is used to monitor trends both within and between countries.

Another key objective is to support the development and evaluation of youth substance use policies by providing evidence-based insights into behavioural patterns among school students.

Methodology

Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous. No results are reported at the level of individuals or single classes. The project uses a standardised approach across countries, including:

  • A common questionnaire
  • A clearly defined target population
  • Harmonised data collection periods and fieldwork practices
  • Standardised procedures for data capture, cleaning, delivery, and analysis

Governance and coordination

To enhance decision-making, the ESPAD Assembly approved a revised constitution in Pisa in 2017, formally identifying EUDA as a strategic partner. Coordination is now jointly managed by the ESPAD Coordination Group and an EUDA representative.

Key developments include:

  • The ESPAD coordinator role became an elected position in 2016.
  • In 2021, the roles of project manager and communication manager were added to the elected coordination group.
  • The Steering Committee, also elected, supports coordination by appointing principal investigators (PIs) and proposing study modifications.
  • Each participating country designates a principal investigator  or ESPAD associate researcher, responsible for securing national funding and participating in ESPAD activities. Data collected is owned by the hosting institution of the principal investigator in each country.

Further Information