(http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-03-15-college-drug-use_N.htm)
As we all know, students binge drinking and drug abuse at the college level is a very common occurrence. Faculty and staff may view these increasing stats to be a shame and overwhelming, while students argue that substance abuse is a stress reliever and a way to relax with their peers. How many drinks is considered binge drinking anyway? For males, binge drinking is considered to have about five drinks and above, and for women, four and above.
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), at Columbia University, did a study on college substance abuse. Statistics say that nearly half of American’s 5.4 million full-time college students abuse drugs or drink alcohol on binges at least once a month. Alcohol is the number one substance students turn to, but marijuana and prescription drugs follow close behind. Many say that college campuses have completely deteriorated and the college’s faculty and staff are not doing enough to stop it. College students have higher rates of alcohol or drug addiction than the general public. 22.9% of students meet the medical definition for alcohol or drug abuse compared with 8.5% of the general public twelve years and older. These studies also show that Caucasian students are more likely to use drugs and alcohol in comparison to minority students. In 2005, 3.1% of college students admitted to abusing the following prescription drugs: Vicodin, Percocet, and Oxycotin. 8.2% of college students have claimed to use heroine and cocaine. In 1993 the statistics were considerably lower.
Why such change in percentages? The availability of these substances seems to be more accessible. Overall, in 2005, 70% of students admit to drinking and 83% of campus arrests have to do with alcohol. If a dry campus is not a preventative than what is?
As we all know, students binge drinking and drug abuse at the college level is a very common occurrence. Faculty and staff may view these increasing stats to be a shame and overwhelming, while students argue that substance abuse is a stress reliever and a way to relax with their peers. How many drinks is considered binge drinking anyway? For males, binge drinking is considered to have about five drinks and above, and for women, four and above.
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), at Columbia University, did a study on college substance abuse. Statistics say that nearly half of American’s 5.4 million full-time college students abuse drugs or drink alcohol on binges at least once a month. Alcohol is the number one substance students turn to, but marijuana and prescription drugs follow close behind. Many say that college campuses have completely deteriorated and the college’s faculty and staff are not doing enough to stop it. College students have higher rates of alcohol or drug addiction than the general public. 22.9% of students meet the medical definition for alcohol or drug abuse compared with 8.5% of the general public twelve years and older. These studies also show that Caucasian students are more likely to use drugs and alcohol in comparison to minority students. In 2005, 3.1% of college students admitted to abusing the following prescription drugs: Vicodin, Percocet, and Oxycotin. 8.2% of college students have claimed to use heroine and cocaine. In 1993 the statistics were considerably lower.
Why such change in percentages? The availability of these substances seems to be more accessible. Overall, in 2005, 70% of students admit to drinking and 83% of campus arrests have to do with alcohol. If a dry campus is not a preventative than what is?
No comments:
Post a Comment