Drug use needs more research

By Editorial Board

Publication Date: 11/10/2006

A recent study shows that 7 percent of college students nationwide have used prescription drugs as stimulants for non-medical purposes in their lifetimes and 4 percent have done so in the past year. Across 119 four-year universities across the country, the amount of students who had used the drugs for non-medical purposes ranged from 0 to 25 percent.

The study, done at the University of Michigan, also shows that students who use prescription drugs for non-medical reasons, such as using ADD medicine like Adderall to study, are more likely to abuse other drugs like alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine. In fact, students who use prescription drugs for non-medical purposes were five times more likely to report heavy drinking in the last year and 20 times more likely to report cocaine use.

The students who were more common to abuse prescription drugs were white fraternity members. Males were almost twice as likely to abuse the drugs than women; if women did abuse them, however, it was most likely to be among sorority members.

Grades also contributed to who was most likely to abuse the drugs, according to the study. Students who had a grade point average of a B or lower were twice as likely to use the stimulants non-medically.

One of the reasons this seems like a new trend is because people are overlooking prescription drugs and focusing on illicit ones when studying drug use among college students, according to the study. It may seem OK to borrow a stimulant from a friend or roommate to study for a test; the lack of studies and education on prescription drugs has led to the belief that it is healthier than other drugs.

More research and education is needed on the use of prescription drugs by college students. Without educating students on the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, there will be no decrease in the activity.