NCJ Number
215354
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Dated: 2005 Pages: 267-274
Date Published
2005
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study examined the nonprescription drug use of university students and compared survey and diary methods for obtaining this data.
Abstract
Results from the survey indicated that 83.1 percent of the participants reported using nonprescription drugs during the past week. Over half of the participants reported the use of pain relievers. The results obtained from the survey significantly correlated with the participant’s diary accounts of their nonprescription drug use, suggesting that university students are able to recall their drug-taking behavior quite accurately. The diaries were able to reveal incidents of misuse, which most commonly included taking too large of a dose. The author recommends that students be provided with information about the proper use of nonprescription drugs and the possible long- and short-term effects of drug misuse. Surveys were administered to 183 students in 6 different courses over 3 consecutive semesters at a State university. Out of the 183 students, 61 volunteered to complete behavioral diaries for nonprescription drug and dietary supplement use for 3 weeks. Data analysis was performed using statistical package SPSS 12.0 and included Chi square tests. Future research should explore the possible causes of the substantial increase over the past 20 years in pain reliever abuse among students. References