Alcohol and Drug Abuse Awareness

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Awareness

Kellogg Community College believes that drug abuse education and prevention programs are essential components of a comprehensive strategy to address illicit drug and alcohol use by students and employees on KCC premises or while engaged in KCC related activities.

Addiction Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Health, finances, relationships, and careers can be ruined. The abuse of drugs and alcohol is by far the leading cause of preventable illnesses and premature death in our society. A 2012 survey shows that 23.9 million Americans are classified as substance dependent. (SAMHSA)

How Addiction Happens. Addiction usually begins with a problem. Some form of discomfort, emotional pain or physical pain that a given individual cannot handle. An addict turns to drugs & alcohol as the solution to their problems.

Alcohol Academic Problems About one quarter of college students report having academic consequences because of their drinking, including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall. Drunk Driving Each year an estimated 3,360,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 drive under the influence of alcohol. Assault Each year an estimated 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking. Sexual Abuse Each year an estimated 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol related sexual assault or date rape. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 2013)

Alcohol Injury Each year an estimated 599,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol. Death Each year an estimated 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes. Alcohol Abuse and Dependence Nineteen percent of college students between the ages of 18 and 24 met the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence, but only 5 percent of these students sought treatment for alcohol problems in the year preceding the survey. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 2013)

Drugs Illicit drug use in America has been increasing In 2002, 8.3 percent of Americans aged 12 or older had used an illicit drug or abused a psychotherapeutic medication (such as a pain reliever, stimulant, or tranquilizer). In 2012 that percentage is now 9.2. Marijuana use has increased since 2007 In 2012, there were 18.9 million current (past month) users about 7.3 percent of people aged 12 or older up from 14.4 million (5.8 percent) in 2007. More than half of new illicit drug users begin with marijuana Next most common are prescription pain relievers, followed by inhalants (which is most common among younger teens). (National Institute on Drug Abuse 2014)

Drugs Most people use drugs for the first time when they are teenagers There were just over 2.8 million new users (initiates) of illicit drugs in 2012, or about 7,898 new users per day. Half (52 percent) were under 18. Drug use is highest among people in their late teens and twenties In 2012, 23.9 percent of 18 to 20 year olds reported using an illicit drug in the past month. Drug use is increasing among people in their fifties This is, at least in part, due to the aging of the baby boomers, whose rates of illicit drug use have historically been higher than those of previous cohorts. Use of most drugs other than marijuana has not changed appreciably over the past decade or has declined Cocaine use has gone down in the last few years; from 2007 to 2012, the number of current users aged 12 or older dropped from 2.1 million to 1.7 million. Methamphetamine use has remained steady, from 530,000 current users in 2007 to 440,000 in 2012. (National Institute on Drug Abuse 2014)

Prevention Is the Key What can you do? Drug addiction is a preventable disease. Results from NIDA funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. When youths perceive drug abuse as harmful, they reduce their drug taking. Thus, education and outreach are key in helping youth and the general public understand the risks of drug abuse. HELP SUPPORT THIS MESSAGE.

What if you need help? Kellogg Community College recognizes that chemical dependency is an illness which needs to be treated. Chemical dependency may decrease the effectiveness of individuals on our campus. Any student can contact any KCC Counselor in the Support Services Department for assistance in obtaining resource information to help them deal with chemical dependency. KCC Support Services 269 965 4150 Also students can contact: Chemical Dependency Resources 800 234 0420 Alcohol Abuse 24hr hotline 800 234 1253 Or drugabuse.gov National Institute on Alcohol & Alcoholism