I’ve been seeing a lot of news articles about how much drug use there is on our college campuses. Many people are somewhat used to campus alcohol use – whether it’s good or not, heavy alcohol use has been a part of campus life for a long time. But now, many colleges have problems with “study drug” and pill abuse and even heroin use.
A website called www.dosomething.org lists some startling facts about prescription drug abuse. It notes that the most-abused prescription drugs on campus are opiate painkillers like OxyContin or Vicodin, stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin and anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax and Valium.
Every one of these drugs is addictive. Most of them can cause overdose deaths. The repeated use of these drugs can result in a person losing their dreams. When a person becomes addicted, their focus shifts to a greater or lesser degree to making sure they have enough of the drug to get by. And then studies and plans for the future go by the wayside.
Stimulants Used to an Apparent Advantage
Students mistakenly have the idea that using stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin can help them get better grades. It’s not hard to fake symptoms and get one’s own prescription or to get the pills from someone else. Because they are stimulants, they are used to help a person stay up late and study or finish papers. It’s so easy for use to become overuse, for occasional reliance to become full-time dependence.
Many colleges estimated that 25% of students use these stimulants. In certain cities at certain times, the number is higher. One article on the subject said that among upperclassmen (Masters degree candidates and above), the number could get as high as 80%.
Rochester Tangles with Heroin Abuse
In a new twist, the University of Rochester is trying to figure out how to help the increasing number of college students who are addicted to heroin. This article makes a good point: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/04/28/colleges-confront-increase-use-heroin-students.
Most people get addicted before they get to college, starting when they are prescribed pain medication for an injury. The progression to heroin results because the street drug is so much cheaper and has a similar effect.
Here’s how simple it gets. These drugs are addictive. Addiction can result in the loss of one’s dreams.
They all have side effects. Heavy and chronic use can result in injury or illness or even death.
And very importantly, increasing one’s ability in life is best done sober. This is true at any age but is especially true when one is in college and expects to get an education that will lead to success in a career.
If you want to educate someone on the dangers of prescription drugs, you can download our free booklet, 10 Things Parents May Not Know about the Abuse of Prescription Drugs.
References:
https://beta.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-prescription-drug-abuse-college-campuses
http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/3949-the-problem-with-study-drugs