Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS)

Organisation responsible: The Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS) is funded by The Scottish Government, commissioned and project managed by Ipsos MORI for the 2018 wave, and previously by Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland. The 2002 and 2004 surveys were undertaken by CAHRU at the University of Edinburgh, 2006 by BMRB Social Research and the 2008, 2010 and 2013 surveys by Ipsos MORI.

Background and purpose: SALSUS was established to provide a broad-based approach to the monitoring of substance use among young people in Scotland in the context of other lifestyle, health and social factors. The survey continues the biennial series on smoking, drinking and drug use among secondary schoolchildren conducted between 1982 and 2000 in England and Scotland. SALSUS gathers information at national level with a boosted sample every four years in order to allow additional reporting at local level.

Survey years / frequency: The first survey was undertaken in 2002 with further surveys in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2015 giving a total of seven points in the time series. Results from the 2015 survey were published in October 2016. There was a break in the SALSUS series in 2012, but was undertaken again in 2013 and 2015, with future surveys planned in 2017.

Survey content: The survey collects information on the prevalence and patterns of smoking, drinking and drug use among secondary school children in Scotland. It includes questions about the availability and sources of supply of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. It also includes questions on family circumstances, parental knowledge and monitoring of children's activities, and how much money children have to spend as they like.

Target population: The target population is all pupils in Secondary 2 (S2) and Secondary 4 (S4) in Scotland. Pupils are mainly 13 or 15 years of age at the time of the survey. All local authority and independently-funded schools with pupils in the target age groups are eligible for inclusion in the survey, with the exception of schools for children with special educational needs.

Sample size: In the 2015 survey, 25,304 S2 and S4 pupils (mainly 13 and 15 year olds at the time of the survey) took part in the survey

Response rate: The overall response rate in 2015 was 53%, calculated as the product of the class and pupil response rate.

Method of data collection: The survey is conducted in schools using a class-based design. All pupils in selected classes are asked to complete a confidential self-completion questionnaire administered in the classroom.

Smallest geographical unit reported: Results are available by local authority, drug and alcohol action team and NHS board once every 4 years, i.e. every second survey (2002, 2006, 2010). Remaining surveys report at Scotland level only. The 2013 survey was published in November 2014 and includes both national and local results. The 2015 survey was published in October 2016.

Availability of results and further information: National reports for the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2015 surveys have been published. Results from the 2002, 2006 and 2010 surveys are also available by drug and alcohol action team, NHS board and local authority. Further information on the survey is available from the SALSUS website. Survey datasets are available at the UK Data Service.