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Substance abuse on the college campus
Mary Ellen Rimsza1, Karen S Moses
1School of Health Services Administration and Policy, W.P. Carey School of Business, Student Health and Wellness Center, Arizona State University, PO Box 872104, Tempe, AZ 85287-210, USA. mrimsza@asu.edu
Pediatric Clinics of North America
|March 8, 2005
Summary
College students frequently abuse alcohol and marijuana, alongside other illicit substances. This substance use significantly impacts academic success and educational completion rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Higher Education Studies
Background:
- Substance abuse presents a significant health and behavioral challenge within the college student population.
- Alcohol and marijuana are identified as the most prevalent drugs misused on college campuses.
- A wide range of other substances, including tobacco and various illicit drugs, are also used by students.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the patterns of substance use among college students.
- To highlight the common drugs being abused in this demographic.
- To underscore the connection between substance use and academic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on substance abuse in college students.
- Compilation of data on commonly abused substances.
- Analysis of the impact of substance use on academic performance.
Main Results:
- Alcohol and marijuana are the primary substances abused by college students.
- The review encompasses a spectrum of drugs, including tobacco, MDMA, GHB, Rohypnol, LSD, ketamine, methamphetamine, PCP, cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms.
- Substance use is a key determinant of poor academic performance and attrition.
Conclusions:
- Substance abuse is a critical issue affecting college students' health and education.
- Interventions addressing substance use are crucial for improving academic success in higher education.
- Further research is needed to understand and mitigate the long-term consequences of student substance abuse.