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What drugs do college students use?

On Behalf of | Apr 19, 2022 | Drug Charges

If you have a college student, you may be worried that they’re using drugs at school. This is a common concern for parents, and it is warranted. Some studies have claimed that up to 49% of college students abuse either prescription or illegal drugs and/or drink alcohol.

So, while your college may tell you that they’re not involved in these activities, there’s a good chance that they are or they are around people who are. What types of drugs are they using?

Unsurprisingly, alcohol is the top drug

No drug is used or abused on college campuses as often as alcohol. This is likely not a surprise to most parents, but it’s still worth pointing out. Alcohol consumption is very common and many students engage in binge drinking. This is the process of drinking quickly to become intoxicated, and it is much different than simply having a drink with dinner or something of this nature.

Marijuana comes in second

After alcohol, there are issues with the use of marijuana. Roughly half of all college students have at least tried this drug a single time. Many more of them use it consistently, and some of them use it every single day. Laws regarding marijuana have been shifting and changing over the years, but even the most recent attempted changes wouldn’t take effect until 2023.

Prescription medications

It is true that many college students have valid prescriptions for certain medications, such as those used to treat ADHD. This is fine for those with the prescription, but the problem is that a lot of them will share these medications with other students. Doing so is illegal, but many don’t realize that or just assume that they won’t get caught.

Is your student facing charges?

Students may use one of these drugs or they may use all of them at different times. If your child has been caught with any of them and is facing serious charges, you are likely very concerned about their future. This is why it’s so important to understand what legal steps you can take.