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College students who abuse the prescription drug Adderall have below average grade point averages, according to a study from the University of Michigan.

Adderall is a stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. College students and even professors abuse it in order to enhance their powers of concentration and ability to stay awake. It is an easy drug to obtain because it is so widely prescribed.

"The most common abusers are those students who do not study and procrastinate all semester, then tried to cram an entire course worth of material into one night, " said Aimee Hourigan, of the substance abuse and prevention program at the University of North Carolina. "These students panic and are much more likely to use the drug."

The University of North Carolina conducted a survey last spring of 600 students and found that about 19% had used Adderall as a study aid in the previous month. The survey also found that 24% of male students had used it compared to 15% of the females. Previous studies have concluded that almost one in ten college professors abuse Adderall.

Labels: prescription drugs, college, adderall

Posted By: Jane St. Clair 0 Comments

Researchers have identified another area concern for those who are worried about the prevalence of alcohol abuse among college students. Arrests for drinking-related offenses at a typical college campus increase by six times when there is a home football game, according to a new study from the University of Florida.

Researchers found that arrests will average 12 on a normal Saturday in a "university town with a successful NCAA football team." However, when there is a home game taking place, there will be 70 arrests on average.

"Though efforts have been made to combat excessive drinking on holidays, more effort is needed to address significant binge drinking among students and other spectators that is associated with high profile collegiate sporting events," according to the report.

Critics of the study said that increases in arrests are due to the number of police typically patrolling football games.

Labels: alcohol abuse, alcohol, college

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Alcohol abuse on college campuses continues to take a deadly toll. The number of alcohol-related deaths around college campuses is rising, according to a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The study found an average of 35 such deaths every week, with 1440 in 1998, compared to 1825 in 2009.

"These are tragically unacceptable high figures that indicate an urgent need for colleges and surrounding communities to implement evidence-based prevention and counseling programs," said Dr. Ralph Hingson, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Alcohol-related deaths among those ages 18 to 24 years old most often occurred during traffic accidents. The study found that more students were binge drinking, that is, having five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting. The percentage of students who admit to drinking and driving increased from 27% 29% in the past year.

Labels: alcohol abuse, death, college

Posted By: Jane St. Clair 2 Comments