Higher Learning

Substance Abuse Trends

A Presentation by:

Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse

For:

Bossier Parish Community College

Challenges…

"Many schools continue to frame substance use by college students as an enforcement problem and therefore turn to policies such as drug testing as the solution. The problem with this approach is that substance use and addiction are public health and medical issues. Enforcement strategies alone are unlikely to solve health problems.“

~ Susan Foster, Vice President and Director of Policy Research and Analysis, at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

Why do college students use drugs & alcohol?

• Some feel pressured to use drugs or alcohol at social gatherings either because everyone else seems to be doing it, or because they believe it’s the cool thing to do.

• Others believe that drug or alcohol abuse offers a way to escape from school or work related stress, financial worries or relationship problems.

• Some feel that alcohol or drugs provide a way to compensate for feelings of shyness or low self-esteem.

• Sometimes, these drugs act as a substitute for satisfying relationships, educational accomplishments or self-fulfillment

Party vs. Learn…

College students often forget why they are supposed to be in school.

Is the purpose of university life to party all the time or to get the most out of the learning environment?

Substance abuse can seriously affect academic performance.

The damage…

• Memory loss • Procrastination• Physical Health• Grades plummet • Nutritional deficits • Long-term addiction • Difficulty concentrating• Ability to get along with others • Empties your bank account• Difficulty coping with everyday stressors• Judgment: unable to make good decisions, to make

them quickly, or to be realistic when you make them

Throughout History…

• Alcohol• Marijuana• Cocaine• Sedatives• Benzodiazepines• Hallucinogens

Perceived vs. Actual Use

Drugs Perceived Usage (%) Actual Use (%)

Cocaine (i.e., crack, rock, freebase) 35 1.1

Methamphetamine (i.e., crystal, meth, ice, crank) 28 0.3

Sedatives 39 2.2

Hallucinogens (i.e, LSD, PCP) 34 1.2

Opiates (i.e., heroin, smack) 27 0.2

Inhalants 28 0.6

Club drugs (i.e., Ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine) 37 1.1

Other illegal drugs 36 1.0

Trends…

• "There has always been fashion to drugs of the day ... Chasing the problem one drug at a time is a costly game of whack-a-mole where use of one drug is addressed only to see the problem pop up in a different form.“

~ Susan Foster, Vice President and Director of Policy Research and Analysis, at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

“Speed”…

Drugs such as Adderall, which were developed solely for those properly diagnosed with the disorder, are being used recreationally by those whom admit to not having ADHD, but either find that they perform better with its aid or simply enjoy the high of the prescription drug.

A person with a perfectly normal, functioning frontal cortex and dopamine levels will experience a heightened sense of motivation, focus, and concentration.

Adderall Warnings

Misuse or abuse of amphetamine may cause serious (possibly fatal) heart and blood pressure problems. Amphetamine-type medications can be habit-forming. Use only as directed. If you use this drug for a long time, you may become dependent on it and may have withdrawal symptoms after stopping the drug.

Synthetics

Since bursting on the scene a few years ago, synthetic marijuana (MJ)—often called “Spice” or “K2”—has become the second most popular illegal drug among American young people.

Dangers of Synthetics

~Emily Bauer

Because the chemicals used in these products have a high potential for abuse and no medical benefit, the DEA has designated five of the most common active chemicals frequently found in synthetic marijuana as Schedule I controlled substances, making it illegal to sell, buy, or possess them.

But manufacturers seem to be changing the chemical compounds as fast as lawmakers enact legislation to ban them.

Who is “Molly”?

Molly, short for molecule, is considered to be pure MDMA, unlike Ecstasy, which generally is laced with other ingredients, such as caffeine or

methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers MDMA to be a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for

abuse, and no accepted use in medical treatment.

The Dangers of Molly…

• “Molly” can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems, and drug craving, tremors, involuntary teeth clenching, muscle cramps, nausea, faintness, chills, sweating, and blurred vision.

• It can also interfere with the ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), leading to liver, kidney and cardiovascular failure.

• Severe dehydration can result from the combination of the drug’s effects and the crowded and hot conditions in which the drug is often taken

Hope…

• Rehabilitation Centers• Individual Counseling• Outpatient Groups• Local 12 Step Membership

References

USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/02/drug-testing-universities/2910039/

Drugfreeworld.org

http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/drugs/molly-powder-or-crystal-form-of-mdma-is-popular-at-music-festivals

Fit.edu

http://www.fit.edu/caps/documents/effects%20of%20drugs.pdf

University of Texas

http://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/collegedruguse.html

The College Survival Handbook

http://www.thecollegesurvivalhandbook.com/2010_09_01_archive.html

Monitoring the Future Survey, 2012; 2. Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2012

http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/synthetic-marijuana-lands-thousands-young-people-in-er-especially-young-males