Princeton’s role in combating the drug crisis must start on campus

Drug addiction is a public health crisis in the United States. Total overdose deaths have increased in the United States over the last two decades across all demographic groups, with about 17 percent of Americans battling a substance use disorder in the past year.

These alarming statistics show just how large of a problem drug dependency has become, but there’s another alarming sub-trend that they do not illustrate: the typical college student is four times more likely to be using drugs like cocaine and ecstasy four years after graduation than upon entering school, and more than 1 in 5 college students met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder in 2021.

Perhaps drugs are more available on college campuses, but this effect could also be because students are no longer well-informed about the risks of substance use. To maintain a healthy and safe community, Princeton must do more to inform students of the risks of substances and substance use disorders. This includes making information about drug use and prevention accessible to students — and not just through a website.

In addition to physician and mental health care, Princeton University Health Services (UHS) provides information about substance use disorders and proper practices for taking prescription drugs. Princeton has offered students free fentanyl test kits and free Naloxone, a lifesaving drug if someone overdoses on opioids. However, Princeton must continue to provide more information in order to minimize the risk of students developing substance use disorders at college.

Anyone can develop a dependency, and many do because of legal, medical prescriptions. 18 percent of Americans have deliberately misused prescription drugs. But Princeton does not make it easy enough to handle prescription drugs safely: UHS does not provide a safe disposal process for prescription drugs, which can add an increased risk of misuse for students.

Although disposal locations are available off campus, it is important that students have this resource in a convenient location. Frist Health Center is a perfect location: It’s at the heart of campus, making it maximally convenient for students to dispose of these drugs in their day-to-day, including between classes.

College students are also uniquely vulnerable to developing substance use disorders, as many suffer from anxiety and depression. When prescribing medication for these conditions, providers should educate students fully on any addictive properties. And while prescribers would ideally be responsible for educating their patients effectively, the University should offer additional resources and education as a community that cares about safety and wellbeing during this public health crisis.

Misuse is sometimes accidental, and can seem benign; however, ignoring it can lead to larger problems, including creating a tolerance. The first few uses of a drug release more dopamine into the brain’s reward system, creating a dependence on it as the reward circuit adapts. This can eventually lead to addiction as people seek this dopamine release despite negative consequences.

During first-year orientation, students attend events like the Safer Sexpo and the SHARE play that inform them about risk prevention in relationships and on nights out. AlcoholEdu already exists to inform students about alcohol culture and its risks, and something similar should be developed for other drugs.

A workshop that shares more information about drugs and the danger of developing a substance use disorder should also be worked into this orientation schedule. It is critical that students are taught about drug interactions, overdose risks, and using harm reduction tools effectively. This would also provide students with clear information about the risks of mixing alcohol with prescription drugs and other substances.

It is imperative that Princeton keep its students safe during this public health crisis. The University should be committed to creating a safe and healthy community where students can thrive, and implementing these changes will help Princeton accomplish this goal.

Liz Reyes is a second year contributing Opinion writer planning to major in Neuroscience. She is from Cherry Hill, NJ and can be reached at lizbeth.reyes[at]princeton.edu.