English 162
October 4,2012

New Drug Epidemic on College Campuses

Prescription drug abuse among college students is a growing trend on most campuses. Students are using these drugs inappropriately to not only “get high”, but to help with concentration when cramming for papers or tests, to self-medicate for anxiety or depression, and even to enhance their stamina when playing sports. Many people have stereotypes of what an alcoholic or addict is, and most people don't associate that image with young students. Although drug education has been mandatory in the US throughout grade school drug use continues to rise in college students. College is known as a time for experimentation, but for some students experimentation can turn
Prescription drugs have chemical names, brand names you may have heard before, and street names. Hillbilly heroin, oxy, OC, oxycotin, percs, happy pills, vikes are for Opaids. Depressants can be called Barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets, candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks and stimulants Skippy, the smart drug, Vitamin R, bennies, black beauties, roses, hearts, speed, uppers. When abused, prescription drugs may be taken in inappropriate doses or by routes of administration that change the way the drugs act in the body, risking overdose. Rehab clinics have seen the sharp increased in the number of college students entering for treatment in the past 10 years. In correspondence to the increasing abuse of prescription opiates, abuse of heroin is also increasing among people age 18-25. For many prescription opiates are a stepping stone to heroin, which provides a

greater high for a cheaper price. There continues to be a large “treatment gap” in this country. In 2010, an estimated 23.1 million Americans (9.1 percent) needed treatment for a problem related to drugs or alcohol, but only about 2.6 million people (1 percent) received treatment
What can you do to help someone you suspect is abusing prescription drugs?
Abusing prescription drugs is a dangerous thing. If you suspect someone that you love of abusing these drugs then it may be time to get some information. If you are the parent then talk to their doctor about the