Students’ abuse of prescription opioids, stimulants, and tranquilizers have been on the rise nationally since the 1990’s¹. NJ state Health Assessment Data shows NJ death rates from drug induced death as 17% for 2015 and the current goal for United States is to bring it down to 11%². This study aimed to assess college student’s knowledge and perception regarding prescription drugs and opioid use / misuse. All students of 18-24 years of age enrolled in a U.S university (N=7956) were invited to participate in an online questionnaire survey, among whom 1663 students completed the survey and were included in the analysis (response rate: 21 %, Female: 72%, white: 74%). Total of 546 students (33%) used prescription opioids /painkillers in the past, and Percocet was used more than other drugs. Stimulant drugs like Amphetamines were used by 251 students (15%) of which Adderall was used the most. Generic/over the counter drugs were misused by 855 students (51%) including cough and cold medications, energy boosters, and sleep and diet pills. Even though 90% understood that they could get addicted to prescription pain medications, 47% reported prescription drug usage as a common behavior among college students and 42% were not aware of any support mechanisms to help them in crisis situations like overdose. Overall, only 54% students reported having the right information about the effects of overdose and misuse of prescription drugs, and 78% strongly felt the need to educate themselves about the dangers associated with drug use and misuse. Results from this study will be used to create awareness in the local community through workshops, training and seminars. These findings provided a foundation for understanding the existing drug and opioid related issues among the youth population and to help devise sound measures for the prevention of its spread.

Reference:

• Johnston LD, O’Malley PM, Bachman JG, Schulenberg JE. Monitoring the future national results on adolescent drug use: Overview of key findings, 2005. National Institute on Drug Abuse; Bethesda, MD: 2006. (NIH publication no. 06-5882)
• Arthur Hughes, Matthew R. Williams, Rachel N. Lipari, and Jonaki Bose; RTI International: Elizabeth A. P. Copello and Larry A. Kroutil. Prescription Drug Use and Misuse in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMHSA)