Bits & pieces

Students addicted to the Internet: One in 10 American college students believe that they are addicted to the Internet, says a new study presented at the American Psychological Association's annual meeting. Researchers from St John's University in New York classified 15% of the 134 students interviewed as showing signs of classic addictive behaviour. These individuals indicated that use of the net was hindering their daily lives, that they experienced Internet "withdrawal" and many had cut back on social activities to spend more time online.

University dropouts fair badly: Students who drop out of university suffer ill effects for more than a decade afterwards, according to a study reported in the Times Higher Education Supplement (31 August). Men who drop out from university are more likely to suffer depression than people without A levels, and women dropouts are more vulnerable from assault from partners than those who leave school without A levels. In addition, both sexes are more likely to be unemployed than graduates and one in five students drop out of university. The Institute of Education interviewed a national sample of 33 year olds.

Petition promoting access to cheaper drugs: Oxfam has launched a global online petition addressed to George Bush protesting about the American government blocking changes and clarifications to the TRIPS agreement, which is preventing people in developing countries having access to cheaper drugs. Oxfam hopes that it will demonstrate the public's support for putting people before the profits of powerful drug companies.

The petition will run until the World Trade Organisation's Ministerial in Qatar in November, where it will be handed over. If you would like to sign the petition please go to www.oxfam.org.uk/unclesam



studentBMJ 2001;09:357-398 October ISSN 0966-6494