While a Core Alcohol and Drug survey showed drinking and marijuana use on campus have decreased, there has been an increase of prescription and other drug use that has led to various University departments working together to create more resources for students.
Multiple departments on campus are providing alternative activities for events typically associated with alcohol and drugs — like sober tailgates on game days, said Bret Blackmon, Louisiana Center Addressing Substance Use in Collegiate Communities Associate Director.
To help combat the increase in drug use on campus and other issues, multiple departments on campus came together and created the Biennial Review committee to examine data and make policies and find ways to improve existing programs, Blackmon said.
Recently, the committee has made more resources available for alcohol and drug recovery students on campus such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Students in Recovery Support Group meetings, Blackmon said.
In spring 2013, 10.9 percent of students reported using drugs other than marijuana at the University in the past 30 days, while the national average was 5.6 percent, according to the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey.
“The fear is students are using pain and anti-anxiety prescription pills for recreation,” Blackmon said.
In the past 12 months, 18.6 percent of students used prescription drugs that were not prescribed to them, a report by the 2013 American College Health Association National College Health Assessment II stated.
Using drugs can lead to both academic and legal problems, Blackmon said.
According to the 2013 Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, because of drug and alcohol use, 71.3 percent of students had a hangover, 43 percent missed a class and 26 percent performed badly on a test.
Students can face felony charges if they are caught selling their prescriptions, said Health Promotion Coordinator Kathryn Saichuk said.
Saichuk said students tend to use ADD and ADHD medicines when seeking a quick way to get good grades, but using these drugs can cost students if they are caught.
Students do not realize that these drugs are addictive, and just because it’s a prescription drug does not mean it is safe for anyone, Saichuk said.
“College can be the time for experimentation, but it can cross the line to become an addiction,” Blackmon said.
Because only 54 percent of students reported they did not know if the University has alcohol or drug prevention programs, Blackmon said she is concerned that students will not know where to go for help if they have a problem.