Social atmosphere factor in drug use
Movies and television often portray college students as partiers, drinkers and drug addicts. Though that may be true for some students, it is not necessarily true for most of them – especially in Utah, where there is a much smaller percentage of students who use drugs and alcohol.
In the 2005 Utah Higher Education Health Behavior Survey conducted by Utah’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, results show that Utah college students use substances at rates that are one-half to one-fourth of the national rates. A 2005 survey at USU specifically showed that 89.3 percent of students did not use any type of drugs.
These rates are a positive reflection on students in Utah and at USU, but what about the other 9.7 percent of USU students who have used or are using drugs?
First, there are several risk factors that could make a person more likely to use drugs and alcohol than others. Matt Flint, a lecturer in the health, physical education and recreation department, has taught the course Drugs and Human Behavior, and says that there are several possible risk factors. The social atmosphere is a big one.
“If people who are important to you are using, then your risk is increased; if you have little social support or find support in users, your risks are higher,” Flint said. The health behavior survey also showed that the perceived availability of drugs and attitudes favorable towards drug use is a risk.
Family structure and personality could be another factor.
“If mom and/or dad smoke or drink, you’re more likely to smoke or drink,” Flint said. “There are some studies that look at personality traits like impulsivity, if you are gregarious, if you are independent and if you are a non-conformist.” Other risks could include depression, stress, the influence of peers, earlier positive experiences and using drugs as a coping technique.
Flint said that males who are of a younger age and at a lower status in school are most often at a higher risk. According to the Utah health behavior survey, “The earlier young people begin using ATODs (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs), the greater the likelihood they will have problems with these behaviors later on.”
These are some of the many reasons that students on campus may be using drugs.
Kenny Reid, a junior in broadcast journalism, has a friend who faced that problem. His friend had done drugs in high school, but was able to overcome the problem. He was doing well for a while, but when he moved away to college, he had friends who were drug users and he once again got involved with drugs.
“He didn’t plan on getting back into it,” said Reid, “but just like any addiction, when you’re around it, you fall into that trap again.”
As a result, the young man quit school and moved away to go to drug rehabilitation. Missing out on education is one of the many consequences that come from drug use.
Drug use can also hurt relationships with friends and family members, cause poor performance at work and school, lead to trouble with the law and even increase violent behavior. They affect the way a person acts around others and how they feel about others and themselves.
There are also many physical effects and consequences that can vary by the drug that is used. Two of the most common drugs used are marijuana and prescription drug abuse, which can both lead to dependence and addiction.
Abusers of these can also develop a tolerance for the drug, meaning they need more of the drug to feel the effects they felt when they first started.
They can damage body organs, impair a person’s ability to think, see, react quickly and to concentrate. It leads to lack of coordination and the ability to make good judgments while
driving and performing other tasks.
And the worst possibility of all is overdose and death.
“Students need to understand the responsibility if they’re going to make that choice,” said Tiffany Evans, ASUSU adviser. She emphasized that it is very important for students to know what these consequences are and what they mean, so “students correlate the consequence with their actions.”
Evans said that helping students to know these things is a major concern for the leaders of the campus because of the possible interference it has with their academics, their relationships with people and the balance of their life in general. “We just want students to be healthy and responsible,” she said.
The best way to help students to achieve that is through prevention.
Flint says there are many ways to prevent getting caught in the trap of drug abuse. He mentioned being surrounded by individuals who have the same values toward drug use, setting goals, practicing decision-making skills and minimizing exposure as just some of the best ways.
“I could go on and on,” said Flint.
The 2005 survey shows that somehow some preventive strategies are working for most USU students. Whether it is surrounding themselves with friends who don’t use drugs, or whether it is following religious standards, the majority of students at USU do not have favorable attitudes toward drug use.
In the survey, 85.7 percent of students said they think it is very wrong for someone their age to use illegal drugs. The majority of respondents also believed that their friends would strongly disapprove of them using any drugs or alcohol.
According to the survey, most USU students do not use any drugs or alcohol. So, although drug use is a common problem in society, and although college students seem to be right in the middle of it, it doesn’t seem to be a problem for most USU students.
“We have more than we’d like,” said Kathy Teeter, a staff assistant at the Wellness Center, “but we are a fairly responsible campus.” And that is something USU can be proud of.
-kathrynkemp@cc.usu.edu