Opinions mixed on drug use

 
While drugs are not considered a serious problem by some, a few students and faculty believe there is one.
However, over-the-counter and prescription drugs – along with energy drinks – have some Southern University Police Department officers worried as well as students and health professors.
“We have problem, but not a serious problem like any campus,” said Lt. Floyd Williams, adding the real problem is how people not affiliated with the university transport drugs onto the campus.
Some students agree with SUPD about drugs being a problem.
“Yes, drugs are being used and sold all at the same time by students,” said Darnell Chapman, a junior mass communications major from Baton Rouge.
Chapman said he knows students that use drugs in order to fit in with peers and how student drug dealers usually sell it to help cover school costs and other personal needs.
Some faculty members believe energy drinks and other over-the-counter stimulants are becoming a bigger nuisance than the usual suspects.
“Know that several students depend on energy drinks, which can stimulate the CNS (central nervous system) to dangerous levels,” said Sonya Miller, health education assistant professor.
Some college students abuse prescription stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall claiming better concentration and increased alertness, Miller said.
“This problem can be mitigated by becoming educated informed consumers and by becoming aware of the myriad of factors that can lead to drug taking behaviors, possibly, drug abuse addiction,” she said.
Even though some believe drugs are a problem campus, others do not think so.
“I don’t think so, maybe drug control,” said Chance Collins, a senior English major from Baton​ Rouge.
Collins said people have to consider the use of caffeine, over-the-counter medicines and other pharmaceutical drugs as well as stimulants.
While students spoke on their views on drugs, SUPD and faculty discussed their proactive methods of fighting drugs. 
“We have started extensive training in recognition in drugs and type drugs as well as understanding how they see it,” said Williams.
SUPD also will be using assistance from Southern University staff as well as outside help to deal with some of the problem. Williams said people are only victimized when they opt to remain ignorant about drugs and drug abuse.
“Working with housing, student affairs, and receiving outside help to have an officer come to do random sweeps of the campus,” he said. “We have safety seminars, discuss drug use and types of drugs.”
In order to understand drug problem more SUPD and faculty spoke on the reasons behind drug use as well.
Miller said recognizing and assessing stressors, while changing our cognitive perspective such as practicing self-talk and becoming more optimistic in our thinking, views and approaches, helps to mitigate the stress response.
“People rely on drugs for a myriad of reasons, such as for socialization, to relax, to reduce stress or as a coping mechanism to escape life’s problems,” she said.
“One can find better information on the consequences of drug use from Health Education textbooks and Health Education Journals, reliable and credible Internet sites, such as the Office of National Drug Control Policy, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”