2008 Woodie Awards
Prescription-drug abuse on the rise
Clara Hogan - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 7/11/07 Section: Metro
Sometimes coffee just isn't enough.
After their energy has perished and they're in over their heads with finals, some students skip the caffeine and find new ways to stay awake.
According to a Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse report, the percentage of college students abusing prescription drugs has increased dramatically over the past two decades, and officials believe students abuse pills to gain back the vigor that college has taken out of them.
Heidi Cuda, the regional director for Iowa City's Mid-Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse, commonly referred to as MECCA, named Adderall and Ritalin as two prescription drugs commonly abused by students. The number of students taking these drugs increased 93 percent from 1993 to 2005, according to the national report.
"They are stimulants; they give you confidence and make you more alert," she said. "People take them to stay up longer, but they usually crash, bringing their energy level lower than when they started."
Jane Caton, an addiction counselor in chemical-dependency services at the UI Hospitals and Clinics, said the crash often comes at bad times for some students.
"College students I've helped told me that people have fallen asleep during finals, probably the final they took the pills to stay up for," she said.
Caton has worked with young adults who abuse and are addicted to prescription pills. She said that people abuse such drugs as Vicodin to calm anxiety, while others who abuse Ritalin want to speed up.
The addiction center reported that these drugs are easily found on the Internet, but they are also available with a prescription from a physician, said Iowa City police Sgt. Troy Kelsay. Still others may purchase drugs from people who have a valid prescription, he said.
"I see these cases across my desk all of the time; I would say more so in recent years than in the past," said Kelsay, who has been on the force for 21 years.
He noted some students misuse these drugs because they believe they'll get in less trouble for taking prescription pills rather than other drugs, such as marijuana.
After their energy has perished and they're in over their heads with finals, some students skip the caffeine and find new ways to stay awake.
According to a Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse report, the percentage of college students abusing prescription drugs has increased dramatically over the past two decades, and officials believe students abuse pills to gain back the vigor that college has taken out of them.
Heidi Cuda, the regional director for Iowa City's Mid-Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse, commonly referred to as MECCA, named Adderall and Ritalin as two prescription drugs commonly abused by students. The number of students taking these drugs increased 93 percent from 1993 to 2005, according to the national report.
"They are stimulants; they give you confidence and make you more alert," she said. "People take them to stay up longer, but they usually crash, bringing their energy level lower than when they started."
Jane Caton, an addiction counselor in chemical-dependency services at the UI Hospitals and Clinics, said the crash often comes at bad times for some students.
"College students I've helped told me that people have fallen asleep during finals, probably the final they took the pills to stay up for," she said.
Caton has worked with young adults who abuse and are addicted to prescription pills. She said that people abuse such drugs as Vicodin to calm anxiety, while others who abuse Ritalin want to speed up.
The addiction center reported that these drugs are easily found on the Internet, but they are also available with a prescription from a physician, said Iowa City police Sgt. Troy Kelsay. Still others may purchase drugs from people who have a valid prescription, he said.
"I see these cases across my desk all of the time; I would say more so in recent years than in the past," said Kelsay, who has been on the force for 21 years.
He noted some students misuse these drugs because they believe they'll get in less trouble for taking prescription pills rather than other drugs, such as marijuana.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
johni
posted 7/15/08 @ 2:08 AM CST
yes, I noted the some my friend's drug is a very danger so do not use the drugs if you want to use... ya us but do not miss use.
==================================
johni
Addiction Recovery Iowa
Addiction Recovery Iowa
johni
posted 7/15/08 @ 2:15 AM CST
the context of my private conversation and it does not reflect any disparagement on my part for the historic event in which we are involved or my pride in Senator Ba rack Obama, who is leading it whom I have supported. (Continued…)
johni
posted 7/15/08 @ 2:22 AM CST
Hi,
Drug is very danger to health so safe on the drug and inform you friends because do not miss use the drugs
==========================
khil
Addiction Recovery Iowa
Addiction Recovery Iowa
Sarah
posted 11/04/08 @ 1:55 AM CST
It is very true that percentage of college students abusing prescription drugs has increased dramatically over the past two decades.
==========================
Sarah
Drug Rehabs
Post a Comment