A new drug awareness campaign aimed at third level students has been launched.

The ‘What's in the Powder?' campaign is calling on students to think about drug use, particularly when it comes to drugs that are sold in powder form.

The campaign is a result of a collaboration between the Ana Liffey Drug Project and three Dublin universities - Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD) and the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT).

Resources such as posters and fact sheets are being distributed to college campuses and the campaign will also be promoted on social media and on the drugs.ie website.

"There is evidence to show that students do indeed take illegal drugs. We do not condone the use of illegal drugs, but if a student chooses to do so, they need to be educated about what they are putting into their bodies, and as welfare officers that is exactly what we have to do, educate," commented the welfare officers from TCD, UCD and DIT.

The campaign is focusing on reducing the harm related to powder drugs. According to the director of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, Tony Duffin, the information provided could save someone from serious harm or even death.

"Each year, students arrive through the doors of their third level institutions full of life and looking forward to the future. Part of this experience is to fully embrace this new found freedom. For some people, this will involve taking illicit drugs. Those people need clear, accurate and evidence-based communication on this subject. That is what this campaign provides," he said.

For more information on the campaign, click here