A Detailed Overview of Age Groups that Use Drugs the Most, and the Questions Why

The Office of Supplied Studies performed a startling survey of drug users in the United States. In 2001, the survey stated 15.9 million Americans older than 12 had used drugs the previous month. That may not be a surprise, but, of these drug users, the highest rates of drug abuse in the month prior were for Americans aged 18-20-in other words, those finishing high school, and getting their first jobs or going to college. It is safe to assume a good number of these aged 18-20 are college students, and it is also safe to say that drug addiction is rampant in many universities. This article will overview these statistics, and engage readers on how to battle drug addiction in college.

In the survey noted earlier, not only was it stated drug use was most rampant among the 18-20 year old group, but that over twenty percent of those in the age group had used drugs in the past month. The survey pointed out that the more than half of drug users smoke marijuana. So, not only are college students apt to use drugs, but, specifically, often their drug of choice is marijuana.

The next statistical row on the Supplied Studies graph shows that, when the students move on to careers, there is a decline in drug use. Why is this? It could be a simple case of experimentation, or perhaps a case of peer pressure. Where would peer pressure be worse than at a college? Beyond just under age drinking, marijuana is an incredibly popular drug among college students.

How do college students battle all these negatives? Just because the stats pointed out how high drug use is does not mean each student will experiment or, worse, become addicted. Smart students who would like to avoid this should consider where they are going for parties, the friends they keep, and being around people or places where drug use is frequent. The hardest decision college students make may be their major, but choices of friends could supercede that. It can be hard for any student to lose a friend, but, without consulting the statistics, it could be said that students who hang around others using drugs often will use the drugs themselves. If students do not want to become addicted their choice of friends will have to be considered just as much as paying the rent, choosing a major, and finding a job. Those who become drug addicts could flunk out. They could be incredible students even with it, but, without lecturing, most drug addicts will not outperform those who stay clean.

There is no golden rule when it comes students using drugs. The chances of a college student doing an illegal drug may just be as high as illegally drinking alcohol. However, just as alcoholism destroys so many lives, Marijuana and other drugs could too. Marijuana, so common in American society, could rob students of any ambition they have. Cocaine could lead them down a brutal road of addiction.

This may all sound like lecture and opinion. The point is this: college students use drugs more than anyone else. The statistics prove it. In order for the student to avoid these problems, choices of parties and friends will have to be considered.