NCJ Number
212755
Date Published
May 2005
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This report presents results from the April 2005 Student Drug Research (SDR) survey on college students’ perceptions of non-medical use of prescription stimulants by their peers.
Abstract
The SDR survey is a tool designed by the Drug Early Warning System (DEWS) to monitor drug trends among college students. The SDR methodology involves a consistent panel of 26 student reporters (SRs) who complete periodic surveys on their perceptions of drug availability, drug trends, and emerging drug trends around campus. In April 2005, 21 SRs completed the structured, mailed questionnaire that focused on the availability and use of different prescription stimulants used for non-medical purposes around campus, perceptions of the harmfulness of using these prescription stimulants, and perceptions of the social acceptability of using prescription stimulants. Findings indicated that almost all SRs reported easy access to Adderall while Concerta and Dexedrine were less easily accessed around campus. On average, SRs reported they knew between 10 and 15 people who used Adderall and between 2 to 4 people who used Ritalin for non-medical purposes during the month of April. Adderall is generally obtained through friends with prescriptions but is also available from drug dealers around campus. Adderall is typically snorted and used in combination with alcohol. SRs considered Adderall most harmful when mixed with alcohol or other drugs and least harmful when used to study. Results from the April 2005 study were compared to the March 2005 study, revealing that Adderall was easily available in March, too. Tables, figures, note, appendix