Even though you would like to believe that the University of Oklahoma campus is drug-free, you understand that not everyone follows the rules. Like most other Oklahoma parents, you probably discussed staying away from illegal drugs before you sent your college student to OU here in Norman.
What you may not have realized is that the abuse of prescription drugs has risen among college students across the country, and the potential exists at OU as well.
Here are some facts about prescription drug use on campuses
The stress and competition regarding academic performance at finals time probably feels like Bedlam does for both OU and OSU football players. The players spend a significant amount of time practicing and gearing up for the game, and students may do the same before finals. In order to gain an edge, some students may turn to prescription drugs for help. Consider the following information from the Drug Enforcement Administration:
- Students may believe that stimulants improve their academic performance. Of course, this belief is more than likely erroneous.
- The DEA estimates that approximately 415 students use stimulants on any given day during the school year.
- The agency also estimates that approximately 559 full-time students start using prescription painkillers on an average day without having a medical reason to do so.
- In the last 12 months, around 12 percent of college students nationwide misused or abused prescription drugs.
If the misuse of prescription medications occurs often, it could easily turn into an addiction.
Signs that your college student may have a problem
Most college students who regularly misuse prescription drugs often exhibit the following common behavioral traits:
- They may become addicted.
- They may begin missing classes and their grade point averages drop.
- They may experience a loss of coordination, become paranoid and hallucinate.
- They may also suffer from some sort of psychosis.
Students could also suffer from an increased risk of cardiac arrest. All of these negative effects associated with prescription drug abuse do not touch on the act that the police could arrest a student for drug possession or even drug dealing.
If the police arrest your college student
The potential penalties associated with a conviction for drug crimes have both short-term and long-term consequences. Your child could lose a scholarship, face suspension or expulsion from OU, and struggle to find employment or housing in the future. Taking action as quickly as possible could help avoid these eventualities. Before taking the next step, it may be worthwhile to contact an attorney who can answer all of your questions and advise you of all the legal options available to achieve the best outcome possible.