Statistics reveal drug use less popular than perceived

The findings of the Drug Task Force show that students believe substance use on campus is more common than statistics indicate.

The Drug Task Force's final report summerized a year-long investigative process and contained the results of National Alcohol and Drug surveys completed by 642 Oberlin students in the spring of 1995.

President Nancy Dye commissioned the formation of the drug task force last year in response to requests from Residential Life and Counseling Center staff members that the College look at its policies and procedures concerning drugs and alcohol.

The survey revealed that 70 percent of Oberlin students are current alcohol users, meaning they had drunk alcohol within 30 days prior to taking the survey. Sixty-eight percent of underage students drink, according to the survey, while approximately 25 percent of the campus abstains from drinking alcohol or seldom drinks.

In terms of drug use, 55 percent of students have used marijuana at least once in the past year. Twenty-nine percent of the students surveyed cited marijuna, while 11 percent named hallucinogens and 6 percent listed amphetamines, as their drug of choice.

The survey said that 87 percent of students believe the average Oberlin student drinks alcohol at least once a week, while 67 percent think the average student uses an illegal drug once a week or more.

"I was surprised at how many people told me that they couldn't stand drugs and alcohol," said senior Jeff Kurzweil, a member of the task force, in April.

Compared to the national average of the survey's reference group, Oberlin students use both tobacco products and illegal drugs more frequently, but drink less than students on other campuses.

Junior Matt Norton, a member of the task force, said, "Though this is hard to quantify, it seems that Oberlin students are more responsible than other students in their drug use. We might use more drugs, but we have less problems as a result."

The survey found that some Oberlin students do admit to having problems with drugs and alcohol. Thirty-four percent of Oberlin students surveyed admitted to having a serious personal problem such as depression, addiction, or thoughts of suicide as a result of drinking or drug use. Thirty-two percent said they had at least one incident of public misconduct, such as Driving While Intoxicated or sexual misconduct, in the past year as a result of drinking or drug use.

The report also proposed that alcohol and drug related policies be clarified and distributed to students. Also recommended was that the College provide more resources to aid in prevention of drug use and hire a health educator to deal specifically with alcohol and drug abuse issues.

Throughout first semester the task force heard presentations from the Academic Standing Committee, the Sexual Assault Support Team, Residential Life and Services, Judicial Board, the Office of Safety and Security, Human Resources, the Counseling Center and Health Services about the role and effects of drug and alcohol use on campus.

Task force member junior Joshua Kaye said, "The report concluded that 'Oberlin does not have unusual or upsetting problems with drug and alcohol abuse and that there is no negative impact' as a result."