Study: College Marijuana Use Growing BOSTON (AP) - Northeastern University junior Robert Devaney says many of his fellow students have trouble buying beer at nearby bars - but no problem getting marijuana. "It's the alternative to drinking,'' Devaney said Monday. ``To get alcohol, someone is going to make sure you're of age, whereas marijuana is easily available. I would definitely say it's a big problem on campus.'' Marijuana use among college students rose 22 percent between 1993 and 1999, according to a study released this week by the Harvard School of Public Health. Seven years ago, 12.9 percent of students claimed to have used marijuana in the previous month. Last year, the figure was 15.7 percent. The research was based on the responses of more that 14,000 students selected randomly from 119 four-year colleges in 40 states. ``I think it shows the need for colleges to approach this problem, but it also shows the need to beef up the programs earlier - in high schools and even middle schools,'' said Dr. Henry Wechsler, who headed the study. The increase was reported among all races and types of students, though the study found that marijuana users are typically single and white. Marijuana use was higher among students who participate in other high-risk behaviors, such as binge drinking, cigarette smoking and having multiple sexual partners, the study found. Marijuana use was highest at colleges in the Northeast and lowest in Southern colleges. It was also highest at colleges classified as ``very competitive,'' and lowest at those considered ``not competitive.''
No member comments available...
|