COCAINE USE ON RISE AMONG UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE

While alcohol and marijuana use has remained relatively consistent, cocaine
has been on the rise over the past several years among college campuses
nationwide including ECU.

"Every student I talk to say there is a lot of cocaine use," said Bob
Morphet, substance abuse counselor at ECU.

Morphet said ECU along with other colleges he's heard of throughout the
United States have seen the increase in cocaine possibly due to students
today having forgotten how physically damaging it is. Cocaine damages a
person's heart, cardiac functions in addition to the psychological addiction.

"[Cocaine] is probably the most psychologically addicting drug known to
man," Morphet said.

"It fools people into thinking they are not becoming addicted."

National trends have traced cocaine at high points in the 1890s, 1978s,
1980s and now the present day increase.

"It tends to come and go and now it's coming," Morphet said.

Morphet said substance abuse is a developmental issue.

"Students come to a university and as freshmen, many of them engage in
risky behaviors," Morphet said.

"Juniors and seniors will learn how to reduce riskier behavior."

By in large, upperclassmen who still use substances, moderate their use in
a responsible manner.

Morphet said there is the misimpression that when students first come to
college they think the social scene has to revolve around alcohol use.
While this is partly a reality, there are many recreational opportunities
offered to students. Morphet cited various societal factors including
movies like "Old School" and "Animal House" as forces that influence
incoming students' attitudes toward substance abuse.

In addition to substance abuse having negative effects on a person's
physical well being, long standing research indicates substances have a
definite adverse affect on academic performance.

There are efforts at ECU taking place in order to improve retention rates.
Some of the main efforts are to educate freshmen and sophomores to be more
serious academically and emphasize academics over partying.

Orientation students attend lectures in which students and people within
the counseling center present them with what they will be faced with when
they come to ECU.

Morphet said the newly enacted Zero Tolerance Policy has lead to less
marijuana use in the residence halls.

People in college now who have substance abuse problems take differing
paths when they leave after college. Many students take on other
responsibilities including jobs, families and their use becomes more normal.

Morphet said there is a approximately 10-15 percent of students who abused
substances in their college careers continue this behavior which eventually
leads to alcoholism, job and family problems or confrontations with the law.

Morphet said all students he talks to, whether they are required to see him
or come by choice, are open minded and will take interest in the education
offered to them.

While there are students at universities who do abuse substances, the
majority of students are responsible in making these decisions.

"Most students party smart," Morphet said.

"I think many are able to make their decisions and learn from past mistakes."

Morphet said ECU offers many programs in addition to his meeting with
students to educate them about substance abuse issues so they can become
more knowledgeable and make better decisions.