269430 Characteristics of college students with ADHD prescriptions who illegally distribute to peers

Monday, October 29, 2012

Kathryn E. Anthony, MA , Department of Communication, University of Kentucky College of Communications and Information Studies, Lexington
Elisia Cohen, PhD , Department of Communication, University of Kentucky College of Communications and Information Studies, Lexington, KY
Alan DeSantis, PhD , Department of Communication, University of Kentucky College of Communications and Information Studies, Lexington, KY
Background: Although public health scholars have investigated the widespread misuse of prescription stimulants on college campuses, few studies have assessed the characteristics of students who distribute their prescriptions to other students. It is the purpose of this study to identify factors/characteristics of students, with prescriptions to ADHD stimulants, who are most likely to illegally distribute their medication to other non-prescribed students.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to students at a large Southeastern university investigating the student distribution of prescription stimulants (N=2,313).

Results: Of the total sample, 5.2% (n=120) reported currently taking a prescribed ADHD stimulant. Based on this subgroup, nine predictors were established for distributors of medical stimulants. The predictors of the logistic regression model include: 1) The class year/standing; membership in social Greek organizations; gender; if prescribed users take other illegal substance; if prescribed users had previously taken illegal (i.e., non-prescribed) ADHD stimulants (before being diagnosed); 6) the days of the week that prescribed users take their stimulants; 7) overestimation of the percentage of both prescribed and non-prescribed users on campus; 8) the relationship that prescribed users have with their health-care provider; and 9) misuse of stimulants as “party aids.”

Conclusion: A small minority is responsible for distributing medical stimulants to the larger campus. Thus, the role of the health professional in educating prescribed users about proper use of medications is imperative. Additionally, university administrators must educate students regarding their misperceptions of the pervasiveness of other students who illegally distribute their medications.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the results of a survey of undergraduate students (N=2,313) assessing the predictors of whether or not prescribed users of medical stimulants will likely distribute their medication to non-prescribed users. 2. Discuss the communication strategies that can and should be employed by health care providers in talking to prescribed patients who could potentially misuse their medical stimulants through distribution. 3. Discuss the communication strategies that can and should be employed by university administrators in reducing the incorrect perceptions of subjective norms concerning the distribution of medical stimulants by other students.

Keywords: College Students, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the primary research assistant for a large, four semester data collection dealing with the illegal use and distribution of medical stimulants. Beyond studies of substance abuse, I have been a research assistant for multiple federally funded grants dealing with risky behaviors including a National Science Foundation grant and a National Center for Food Protection and Defense grants pertaining to risk and health communication.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3297.0: Substance Abuse