There has been an increase in the use of marijuana. College students are more likely to use marijuana in comparison to the rest of the population in general. Could stress be the reason why many college students, especially freshmen chose to experiment with drugs or are more likely?

College students are one of the largest populations of drug abusers nationwide. Young adults ranging from ages 18-24 are at most risk of addiction. Young adult full time college students are twice as likely to abuse marijuana. One contributing factor is that marijuana makes socializing easier. Stress causes students to use marijuana, because they are in a transitional phase of moving from home to college, while trying to adjust to a new social life on top of achieving high standards of academia (Addiction Center).

51% of full time college students have used marijuana at some point in their lives. In 2006, 30% of college students in the united states admitted to using marijuana within a 12 month time span (MichiganNews).

Approximately 36% of college students indicated usage of marijuana. As of 2013, the record for the highest rate of daily marijuana use among college students reached its peak since 1981. 1 out of 20 college students smokes marijuana on a daily basis in contrast to 1994, when there were fewer than 1 out of 50 college students that smoked marijuana on a daily basis (MichiganNews). As you can see, the rate of marijuana use continues to increase, along the years. Many should be aware that the more students involved in marijuana use, the more addiction and usage of the drug. Students are twice as likely to abuse marijuana, which is an example of relative risk. Through my research I found that the numbers have increased of usage, but relative risk does not tell you very much compared to absolute risk.

Citations:

https://www.addictioncenter.com/college/

http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/22362-college-students-use-of-marijuana-on-the-rise-some-drugs-declining