Are drug prevention efforts fulfilling the informational needs of college students? A survey of engagement with information about topics related to marijuana and amphetamines from media, medical and interpersonal sources

Background: Information about drugs is easily accessible to young adults from a range of media, interpersonal and medical sources. This information includes anti-drug messages, but also information that promotes nonmedical use of drugs such as marijuana and amphetamines. Recent research shows significant positive cross-sectional associations between information seeking and nonmedical drug use intentions among college students.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey examines information seeking about marijuana and amphetamines among college students ages 18-25 enrolled in a large US university. Data were collected between October 2012 and December 2013. The study identifies commonly sought topics related to marijuana and amphetamines, and sources of information consulted by college students (N = 154 for marijuana; N = 117 for amphetamines).

Results: The most commonly sought topics about marijuana and amphetamines were related to benefits of use (75%), negative effects of use (76%), and ways to reduce negative effects of use (54%). The Internet was reported to be the most frequently used source for students who sought information about both drug types. Additionally, while participants reported consulting friends about marijuana-related topics, they tended to seek amphetamines-related topics from physicians or other medical professionals.

Conclusions: College students seek information about topics that may not be addressed by current anti-drug prevention programs and interventions. Consequently, there may be an information gap that young adults may seek to fill through information seeking from other media and interpersonal sources, which, in some cases may adversely impact their intentions to use these substances. Implications for future interventions are discussed.