Prescription Drug Abuse In Schools Essay

becoming a major problem, and risk factor in schools, and is being abused all over the United States.
Not only is alcohol and marijuana abuse a major problem amongst adolescents in high schools and colleges, but other underage drug use has become a concern as well. I am talking about other substances abuses, and prescription drug abuse. Here I am going to be telling you all about substance and prescription drug abuse in schools, statistics, preventions, and the effects that these drugs have on academic abilities. When you think about prescription drug abuse in colleges, I’m sure the first thing that comes to mind is the ADHD, and ADD medications such as, Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, etc. these are known as the “study drug” that has been abused for years by college

students. “A study of more than 10,000 college students from across the country found that more than half of students with an Adderall or other ADHD drug prescription were asked to sell the medication to peers and friends. Almost every student who abuses these drugs in college gets the drug from a friend or classmate with ADHD” (Aberg 2017). All ADHD medications are simulants and controlled substances. “Many students with an Adderall or other ADHD prescription believe that distributing the drug is legal and a good way to make money. However, these drugs are Schedule II drugs, meaning the Drug Enforcement Agency has labelled it highly addictive. The minimum sentence for distributing a Schedule II drug like Adderall is five years in prison. Very few students are aware of this and it is not commonly enforced” (Aberg 2017). Not many students realize how addictive these stimulants can be, and the risk factors involved with abusing them. However, ADHD medications are often also abused by high school students as well. It is known that “nearly a quarter of American high schoolers use at least one type of illicit drug other than Marijuana and alcohol, those drugs include, cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy, Vicodin, Inhalants, Amphetamines, and many more. Approximately 2.5% of seniors are caught up in cocaine use. This may seem small, but it amounts to more than a million teens doing drugs that could kill them. High school deaths are reported each year for nearly every drug on that list. Don’t assume that your kids aren’t using, or that they’re safe from these dangers.

It’s a mistake that far too many parents have made in the past. The consequences of drug abuse in high schools include brain abnormalities, slowed thinking and impaired learning and memory. It can also deplete the brain of certain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, sending high schoolers into a prolonged depression and leaving them susceptible for more destructive behaviors.” (Fact Sheets-Underage Drinking). Substance and prescription drug abuse is even more common amongst college students than it is in high school students. There are many other substances that have been affecting college students over all well being, and academic abilities. “A Monitoring the Future Study found that 12.7 percent of college students had used Ecstasy at least once in their lives.  These drugs alter mood and enhance sensation, acting as stimulants or uppers, and some as hallucinogens. Just like the other drugs, however, these drugs carry some heavy short- and long-term side effects and risk factors. Ecstasy is often used to increase pleasure and can lead to risky sexual behavior. Cocaine and heroin are highly addictive and increase heart and blood pressure, putting users at high

risk for fatal overdoses. These drugs alter brain chemistry and can bring about severe withdrawal symptoms. Poly-drug use, or the use of more than one drug at a time, is common among college students, especially at the party or club scene and increases all of the risk factors” (Drugs Commonly Abused by College Students).
I bet you’re wondering how do these students get these drugs that they are abusing? Especially if they are underage? Well, in this next part of my paper I am going to be telling you how students are getting these drugs. “High schoolers can find drugs through a friend, through word-of-mouth and on the internet. Most kids needn’t look any further than their school. nearly 44 percent of high school students know a classmate who sells drugs” (Fact Sheets- Underage Drinking). High school and college students can also be getting drugs from their parents, and most likely without their parents knowing. Students will steal their parents, alcohol, prescription medications, etc. Obtaining drugs on college campuses are even easier than obtaining them in high schools. Drug dealers are everywhere on college campuses, which makes it easy for college students to buy them. Also, mentioned earlier students are selling their prescription drugs to other students for some extra cash. Underage students are getting alcohol by using fake 21 ID’s, or having someone who is 21 years of age buy them alcohol, which both things are highly illegal. “Anyone convicted of selling or providing alcohol to a minor usually faces a range of penalties. Jail. Misdemeanor offenses are defined as those that have a potential penalty of up to one year in a local jail or state prison” (Theoharis 2017).
In conclusion, there are so many consequences that come along with underage drinking and drug abuse whether it’s academic performance or your overall health and well-being. Hopefully, high schools, colleges, staff, and parents can continue to utilize prevention programs, and resources to help reduce and potentially get rid of underage alcohol and drug abuse. I hope this paper helped you to get a better understanding of why drug and alcohol abuse is a major concern in schools all over the United States.