Grades nine and ten of schools from the federal states (Bundesländer) Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania und Thuringia which had already taken part in the 2003 study as well as from Saarland were included.

The ESPAD is coordinated by the „Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and other Drugs (CAN)“ and supported by the „Co-operating Group to Combat Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Drugs (Pompidou Group)” of the European Council.    

The advantage of the international study consists of the comparability of the results in the different countries achieved through control of the methodology, application of the same instrument and inclusion of 15- 16 year old students.

For purpose of international comparison data obtained from students born in 1991 is used. Students of special or training schools are excluded. This is the case in nearly all of the countries involved.