Prescription Drug Abuse in college

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IN COLLEGE Many college students think that prescription drugs are safe. They are, but only if they're taken the right way. The danger becomes real when these drugs are abused. 1 in 4 college students has used a prescription drug illegally. College students College students are more likely to abuse prescription drugs if they have a mental illness. believe that prescription drugs are safer than Students misuse or abuse prescription drugs to: illegal ones, Improve concentration Reduce stress Diet Be a better athlete DRUGS ABUSED IN COLLEGE Ignore problems Get high Stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta) Anxiety meds/Sleeping pills (Xanax,Valium, Ambien) OC 1 in 3 Painkillers (OxyContin, Oxycodone, Vicodin) OC college students use stimulants that [90% of students can get stimulants from their peers or friends. aren't prescribed to them to stay up late and study. 54% College students who abuse stimulants: of undergrads with stimulant prescriptions have been asked to sell, trade or give away their 90% 3x medication. more likely to use marijuana are binge drinkers 1/2 of college students have been offered prescription drugs by sophomore year. 8x 5x ADDERA XR more likely to use cocaine more likely to abuse prescription painkillers 20 mg Potential side effects of prescription drug abuse: High blood pressure or heart rate Heart attack Slowed breathing Stroke Sources: Organ damage Overdose http://www.uwc.edu/sites/default/files/imce-uploads/aode/drug s/other/_files/pd-getthefactsbooklet.pdf Seizure Death https://www.csbsju.edu/Documents/Counseling%20and%20H alth%20Promotions/Prescription%20Drug%20Abuse%20Misu se.pdf LV LAKEVIEW HEALTH SYSTEMS http://www.samhsa.gov/data/spotlight/Spot094-College- Prescription-Drug-Use.pdf www.lakeviewhealth.com http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/politics&id=9 141068