Use Correctly
The abuse of prescription and over the counter drugs has become increasingly popular on college campuses. This includes painkillers, such as those drugs prescribed after surgery; depressants, such as sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs; and stimulants, such as those drugs prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Medications can be effective when they are used properly, but some can be addictive and dangerous when misused.
Did You Know?
Abusing prescription painkillers is similar to abusing heroin. Both drugs are opiates, and both have a high addiction potential. Misuse of opiate pain medication causes the same psychological and physical effects as heroin.
It is illegal to "possess" medications not obtained directly with a valid prescription. Possessing an illegal substance is also a violation of the WSU student conduct code and convictions on a drug offense may jeopardize your ability to get federal financial aid.
Mixing alcohol and prescription opiates like OxyContin or Vicodin can be lethal. Both alcohol and opiates slow breathing. Combining these drugs could lead to life-threatening respiratory depression. This combination enhances the sedative effect of both substances, increasing the risk of death from overdose.
It may be hard to spot a painkiller overdose. Opiate use can go undetected as they have little or no effect on initial motor functions, making it difficult for others to know when to call emergency medical services.
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