Alcohol and the University of Kansas

Other Drugs

College students tend to use and abuse illegal drugs at much lower rates than alcohol. Nonetheless, illicit drug use can lead to serious tragedies, including violence, sexual assault and rape, hospitalization for overdoses, and premature death. The abuse of prescription drugs is on the rise and of concern.

Overview

A comprehensive source about illegal drug use can be found at: http://www.higheredcenter.org/high-risk/drugs .

Facts and Figures about illegal drug use.

The Drug Free World website has a variety of facts, advertisements, and informational booklets.

Marijuana

The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana. According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report, about 3.9% of the world's population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse marijuana. Today's marijuana is much more potent than in the past.

For more information about Marijuana Use Among College Students: http://www.higheredcenter.org/files/product/marijuana.pdf (PDF Link)

Marijuana Facts for Parents and Others: http://www.drugabuse.gov/MarijBroch/MarijparentsN.html

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drugs use to get high has become increasingly prevalent among teens and young adults. The abuse of prescription pain killers ranks second—only behind marijuana—as the Nation's most prevalent illegal drug problem.

Prescription Drug Information: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/prescrptn_drgs/index.html

National Institute on Drug Abuse site for young adults: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/

Tobacco

More addictive than heroin, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States.

Tobacco Facts from the National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/tobacco.html

Tobacco Information from KU's Wellness Center: http://www.hawkhealth.ku.edu/?q=my-escape