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conferenceseries
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Volume 8
J Community Med Health Educ, an open access journal
ISSN: 2161-0711
Public Health 2018
February 26-28, 2018
PUBLIC HEALTH AND NUTRITION
3
rd
World Congress on
February 26-28, 2018 London, UK
J Community Med Health Educ 2018, Vol 8
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0711-C1-033
MITIGATING RISKS OF STUDENTS USE OF STUDYDRUGS THROUGH UNDERSTANDING
MOTIVATIONS FOR USE AND APPLYING HARM REDUCTION THEORY: A LITERATURE
REVIEW
Dor D Abelman
a
a
Western University School of Health Studies, Canada
A
s postsecondary students’ use of “study drugs” becomes more popular with increasingly reported negative effects on health
and academic performance, failing prohibitionist policies to reduce consumption, and ambiguity in literature towards best
practices to address this population, we present a literature review that seeks effective solutions educational institutions can
apply to improve outcomes for students who use drugs. Motivations for use, effects of the substances, an analysis of efforts to
control use from educational institutions, and suggestions on promoting most effective outcomes based on harm reduction, are
described.Theory, quantitative, and qualitative works from systematic reviews, cohort studies, and epidemiological assessments
are examined on the “study drugs” methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and amphetamine, also known as Adderall, Ritalin,
Focalin, and Concerta. There is a focus on postsecondary students ages 18– 25 in North America. Results show important risk
factors for drug use including low perceived self-¬‐efficacy or enjoyment in courses, poor accommodation of special needs,
reliance on external validation, having a low GPA, and experiencing a mental health issue. There is much misconception on the
health and academic effects of these drugs in literature, among students, and on online knowledge sources. We suggest these
drugs do not improve GPA and learning, while they might temporarily increase memory, but with detrimental negative health
effects. Campaigns that address underlying factors of use can be most successful in mitigating harms.