Objective:

To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perception related to new psychoactive substances (NPS) among King Faisal University students and to determine predictors of better knowledge and permissive attitudes.

Approach:

• Study Design: A cross-sectional study with 300 students using an anonymous web-based survey questionnaire.
• Statistical Analysis: Chi-squared test/Fisher’s exact test for sociodemographic variables, independent samples t-test/ANOVA for attitude scores, and logistic regression for predictors.

Key Findings:

• 58% of respondents had high levels of knowledge regarding NPS.
• 57% reported easy access to NPS, primarily through online media (70.8%).
• 39.7% admitted past usage of NPS.
• Females showed significantly greater knowledge than males (64.0% vs 41.0%; P<0.001).
• Prior NPS use and easy access were independent predictors of permissive beliefs.
• Common use motivations included social gatherings (47.9%), weight loss (40.3%), and stress reduction (37.0%).

Interpretation:

Students have moderate to high levels of knowledge about NPS, with attitudes influenced by ease of access and previous usage experience.

Limitations:

• The study is limited to one university, which may not represent all Saudi students.
• Self-reported data may introduce bias.

Conclusion:

The study highlights the need for further research and awareness regarding the threat posed by NPS in Saudi universities.