Rationale for the Development of Drug Addiction in Urban College Campuses - Article Example

Drug abuse and addiction have become a contentious issue in universities and colleges across the globe with the trend of drug use spreading to the younger generations. Reports from international health agencies indicate that the prevalence of drug use among college students is alarming and is at 39% (Cleveland and Harris, Wiebe, 2010). Among the drug users, 45% of them are chain smokers, and a further 35% have utilized illegal substances. Alcohol and tobacco products are the standard products that are abused by college students given the fact that they are conveniently available at an affordable cost.

Drug addiction has taken a new twist among the students as they are prone to health problems culminating from withdrawal effects and at times over-consumption of the drugs (Verster, 2012). Products like tobacco and bhang make the users undergo multiple seizures and procrastinations after their use. Loss of memory is a common practice to addicts, and this has negatively impacted on their studies since most students have dropped out of college as a result of drug addiction. Records from the National Narcotics Agency indicate that drug use in institutions of learning especially universities is on the rise due to the extra freedom colleges’ administration accord to students.

Several cases of illegal drugs being busted in colleges have been recorded with police records indicating that in 2007 3478 cases of students in possession of Marijuana were reported with 45% of them being peddlers who sell the drugs to their colleagues within the college vicinity (Cleveland and Harris, Wiebe, 2010). Social events within colleges were the preying grounds where illegal drugs are often utilized. House parties and college discos are normally the places where most students first use drugs, and it is typically attributed to influence from fellow students.

Caffeinated beverages are yet an alternate class of drugs that is promptly ill-used in learning establishments.