Non-Medical Prescription Drug Use Among College Students Essay Example

use went up 5%. But, the most alarming increase in the non-medical stated was, “Between 1992 and 2003, the number of people in the general US population who reported non-medical prescription drug use increased by 94%, with an increase of 212% for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years.

” The troubling act is that the majority of college students who report the behavior begin using prior to college. And also, Dr Ford writes, “Research also indicates that use has greatly increased among college. ” Dr. Ford interviewed Selby et al and found that, “Athletes have high levels of marijuana use, but they did not include comparison group of non-athletic in their analysis. ” Also, by analyzing data from a nationally representative sample of college students, Dr. Ford interviewed with Wechsler et al and found that, “athletes use marijuana at lower levels than do non-athletes.

Also, with that Wechsler et al concluded that, “athletes involved in team sports have higher rates of substance use than do those involved in non-team sports. It also appears that rates of binge drinking increases involvement in athletics increases. ” For example, team leaders report higher levels than team members. Dr. Ford found that, “male athletes, hockey players are most likely to report substance use and that of female athletes, soccer players are most likely to report to substances use.

Wechsler et al also stated, “there are a number of distinct concerns for college athletes: Maintaining a high level of athletic performance while responding to stress; balancing academic and athletic interests; coping with career concerns, including termination; coping with social isolation; experiencing injuries as major medical and psychological concerns; managing success or the lack

thereof; and managing multiple relationships with coaches, teammates, family, friends and teachers. III Article Reaction Critique The results of the Non-medical prescription drug use among college students is still a problem today. With the vast majority of colleges growing we see more alcohol abusers and drug addicts. The percentages are only going up with the ways of the college athletes are binge drinking at parties, with males and females.

The school administratiors must be informed of the potential health risks of prescription drug misuse.It is clear that non-medical prescription drug use should be included in substance use prevention and treatment programs offered to college students. Second, findings suggest that participation in athletics, especially for women, works as a protective factor for non-medical prescrption drug use. Future researchers must examine what groups of college students are at increased risk for non-medical prescription drug use. Third, findings indicate that binge drinking and the use of other illicit drugs are strong predictors of non-medical prescription drug use.

College students need to be make aware of the possible negative consequences as a result of drug interactions. There is no simple solution to the alcohol abuse that occurs at colleges and universities across the nation. After examining the drugs that are in control and abusing the college campuses, moderation is a conceivable and attainable goal. Campus administrators should promote moderation as opposed to forbidding the use of alcohol at universities.

The acknowledgement of excessive alcohol abuse on campuses is only the first step.But, it is hard to believe that no tragedies will occur with both widespread acceptance of alcohol or any other illicit drugs, however, taking the reasonable approach is more likely to

work than outright forbidding it. To sum it up, binge drinking and the use of illicit drugs continues to be an important problem on college athletes and non-athletes across the nation. Individual and societal level conferences have been organized with variable success.