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Thomas Zaniboni
Connie Douglas
UNWT 1101
November 2, 2014

Prescription Medications Uses on College Campuses

Research is key to any observers work. With that being said observer A has done
extensive research and observations dealing with prescription drug use with students at the
University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It is not unheard of that drug use is more common on
college campuses across the nations than anywhere else (Stone 316). Observer A has observed
the transaction of prescription medications at two different locations at the universitys campus.
Adderall, Dexedrine, Valium are just a few and most common being sold between students.
When is it crossing the line to sell prescribed medications? According to sources any distribution
of prescription medications other than a medical doctor will be against compliance of the FDA
regulations and subject to prosecution (317). Observer A has witnessed a cornucopia of drug
related transactions and trades for other drugs both prescription and non-prescription. The
smoking area between Friday and McEniry, campus buildings at UNC-Charlotte, has been a hub
for most drug transactions and majority of the students had a business related major.
Do the different type of degrees play a role in students turning to drugs for help with
studying? According to a study done at the University of Central Florida the answer to the above
question is, yes. Correlations between friends studying within the same major have been linked
to higher volume of distribution of prescription drug use (Ford 281). Observer A has witnessed

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this parallel on numerous occasions. Another source has done a series of surveys that collates
with observer As work. Q&A surveys based on a number scale determined by a true, false,
or very true answering systems has shown a 79% of students have either lied to a medical
doctor for medications or bought from a friend that lied (Stone 317-318). Undergraduates
between the ages 18-25 years old have a 90% chance of being asked if they would buy
prescription medications, a near 46% will conclude they need it, but only 34% will actually
proceed with a transaction (Egan 71-72). According to data from a 2011 survey, students who
took prescription medication that were not prescribed to them had average or below average
GPA. The students that had the prescriptions had higher GPAs (Ford 280). Studies have shown
that the misuse of these drugs are not changing the outcome on students academically, at least
not in a good way (280-281).
Observer A has only witnessed a small group of individuals that have shown interests in
purchasing and/or selling of prescription medications. However, according to recent studies in
the past ten years drug abuse in the college environment for academic purposes has jumped
(Egan 76). This indicates that there is a larger amount of students who have tried or are
continuing to pursue the sales of non-prescribed medications (76-77). The current study fills an
important gap in the literature by examining a theoretical explanation. These findings have
important implications for college health professional (Ford 281). Unfortunately, the use of
prescription stimulants, much like binge drinking has become a part of college life and culture.
Observer A, believed that the observation was a success. To notice a problem that not only does
the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has, but all colleges and universities nationwide
deal with. Smart drug is the term students use to help persuade their fellow peers to buy and
continue using non-prescription drugs (281).

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In retrospect, students are not getting the adequate knowledge about using these drugs
without a doctors informed decision. With that being said, in conclusion, medical prescription
drug use without a doctors approval is indeed a waste of time and money, and it can also be very
dangerous.

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Work Cited

Andes, Stacy, et al. Employing Strategic Campus-Community Partnership to Address Nonmedical

Prescription Drug Use on College And University Campuses. Journal Of Social Work Practice In
The Addictions 14.1 (2014): 27-41. Academic Search Complete. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
Egam, Kathleen L., et al. Simultaneous Use Of Non-Medical ADHD Prescription Stimulants And Alcohol
Among College Students. Drug & Alcohol Dependence 131.1/2 (2013): 71-77. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
Ford, Jason A., and Julianne Ong. Non-Medical Use Of Prescription Stimulants For Academic Purposes
Among College Students: A Test Of Social Learning Theory. Drug & Alcohol Dependence
144.(2012): 314-321. Academic Search Complete. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
Stone, Amanda M., and Lisa J. Merlo. Psychiatric Medication-Seeking Belief And Behaviors Among
College Students. American Journal Of Drug & Alcohol Abuse 38.4 (2012): 314-321. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.