A new report released on Thursday by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) stated that around 1.2 million U.S. college students were drinking alcohol on an average day last year, while more than 700,000 were using marijuana. Experts said that although the figures are not anymore new, the trend is already alarming.
Alarming Number Of US College Students Drank Alcohol, Used Marijuana in 2015
SAMHSA's report called "A Day in the Life of College Students Aged 18 to 22: Substance Use Facts" showed that on an average day in 2015, there were 1.2 million full-time and 239,212 part-time U.S. college students who drank alcohol. Moreover, there were 703,759 full-time and 195,020 part-time college students who used marijuana.
The report also stated that there were 2,179 full-time and 453 part-time U.S. college students who drank alcohol for the first time on an average day last year. There were also 1,326 full-time and 453 part-time college students who used marijuana for the first time.
Dr. David Dean, behavioral research scientist at SAMHSA, told USA Today that the recent report shows U.S. students start to explore alcohol and marijuana during college. "There is a great deal of development that is still occurring during this age, particularly neurophysiological development, that can be inhibited by substance abuse," he warned.
Parents Of College Students Play A Vital Role In Changing The Alarming Trend
According to General Arthur Dean, chairman and CEO of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the figures are not new but the trend is already alarming. He added that parents of college students play a huge role in changing the social norms related to alcohol consumption and marijuana use.
"Parents have the greatest influence on children, and they need to have solid discussions (with students) about the dangers of alcohol use and the impact it can have on academics and social life," Arthur Dean stated.
Arthur Dean added that the trend should be changed because these college students may become dependent on alcohol and marijuana later in life. He also warned that drinking alcohol or using marijuana can impact on the college students' behavior for the rest of their lives.
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