America’s Colleges are a Hotbed for Drug Abuse

March 2007

Substance Abuse 101 is not a class offered at colleges or universities, but maybe it should be. A new study indicates that about half of American college students binge drink and abuse drugs.

The popularity of prescription medicine abuse has risen sharply. Painkillers such as Percocet, Vicodin, and OxyContin were about three times more likely to be abused in 2005 than in 1993. Abuse of ADHD drugs like Ritalin and Adderall doubled in that time period, and abuse of tranquilizers saw a rise as well.

Alcohol continues to be a perennial favorite for abuse, with 40% of surveyed students admitting to binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks for men or four or more for women. Illegal drug use such as cocaine and heroin doubled from 2005 to 1993, while 4% of nationwide students disclosed daily use of marijuana.