Drug Abuse in Colleges and Universities

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how prescription drug abuse is not a major problem in America's colleges and universities. The paper examines how it is not a major problem because colleges do not produce the kinds of conditions that generally lead to the abuse of prescription drugs. The writer proposes that by creating and implementing campaigns, the aim of which is the curtailing of almost all use of prescription drugs, the American government is doing a disservice to those individuals who might truly benefit from the use of these medications. The paper concludes that officials and advocates must not harm the many who need the help of medications and treatment for the sake of those who abuse these medications and treatments.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review:
Nature of the Problem
Prescription Drug Abuse in Colleges and Universities
Methods and Materials:
Object of Study
Setting of Study
Participants in the Study
Study Instrument
Results
Conclusion
Summary and Recommendations
Appendix A
References

From the Paper:

"Abuse of prescription medication in American colleges and universities is a complex issue that can only be understood by first examining the larger matter of prescription drug abuse in the general population. First, it is necessary to define the problem; to understand what amount of misuse constitutes abuse. The numbers themselves are often cited as proof that a major problem exists. According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, there were fewer than half a million first-time users of prescription painkillers in the 1980's, as opposed to more than six million in 2002. (Barolat, 2005) Nonetheless, sheer numbers do not automatically equal a problem. As Barolat notes, there are indeed many people who are in genuine chronic physical pain, and who do require the aid of painkillers to maintain normal levels of day-today functionality."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barolat, G. (2005, March). A New Battlefront in the War on Drugs. USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), 133, 60+.
• Degrazia, D. (2000). Prozac, Enhancement and Self-Creation. The Hastings Center Report, 30(2), 34.
• Freeman, E. M. (2001). Substance Abuse Intervention, Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Systems Change Strategies: Helping Individuals, Families, and Groups to Empower Themselves. New York: Columbia University Press.
• Meadows, M. (2003, March/April). Prescription Drug Abuse: FDA and SAMHSA Join Forces. FDA Consumer, 37, 36.
• Meadows, M. (2004, May/June). New Prescription Drug Safety Plan: The Bush Administration Has Announced a Comprehensive Plan to Improve Prescription Drug Safety, Citing a Significant Increase in the Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs in Recent Years. FDA Consumer, 38, 7.

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