Introduction
Marijuana is a drug that is extracted from the cannabis plant. Marijuana is mainly used by individuals for the purposes of psychoactive behaviors. The genesis of the name of the drug is Spanish, from the word marihuana. According to various numerous research findings and also the United Nations report on drug use, cannabis is the most widely used drug in the world today. Marijuana can be classified as a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogen since it exhibits the properties of other drugs classified in their respective classifications.
The effects of consuming marijuana can either be classified as psychoactive or physiological. One of the effects of consuming marijuana is a subjective change in perceptions of an individual. Mood changes and swings are direct effects of marijuana intake. Further, there are short term neurological and physical effects which include the increase of heart beat rates, impairment of short term or even working memory, lowered blood pressure, and lose of concentration. The long term effects of marijuana intake are not precisely clear.
Since the start of the last century, numerous countries have enacted laws and regulations that were against the cultivation, possession, or even transportation or transfer of this drug. However, in some jurisdictions, the handling, transportation, and usage of this drug are not illegal. Other jurisdictions have lessened the penalties attached to the connection of this drug. The street value of this drug varies strongly by the region and area of concern. For instance, street values of this drug are known to range from about $ 150 to $ 250 per ounce in North America. It is believed that this drug generates up to $ 36 billion, a very astonishing figure. However, most of the added value of the drug does not come about from the growing or production of the crop. It is believed that smuggling and ensuring a supply of the drug to buyers constitutes to making the price of the drug hike since the drug is illegal in most jurisdictions. The main objective of this research is to compare the use of marijuana, the most commonly used and abused drug in the world today, in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other regular universities. The research also aims at providing and enumerating the consequences and effects of marijuana intake.
The study of drug use, especially marijuana, in colleges and universities, and more particularly in Historically Black Universities and Colleges has been a subject of limited research. The wide use of this drug in colleges and universities by students cannot be denied. There is an obvious persistence in the use of marijuana by the general youthful population. Despite numerous legal efforts to curb the use of this drug, the painful truth is that the world is turning into an open drug bazaar (Cermak 7). Opportunities that surround the individuals who are naturally curious to venture into drugs are not only numerous but also readily available. Drug abuse within Historically Black Universities and Colleges and other regular universities varies. Precisely, marijuana use applied in the two different environments differs to some level due to various reasons.
There was a decline in the use of marijuana in the 1980’s among the youths in Universities and Colleges. However, the use of marijuana from the 1990’s has seen a steady increase among college students. The increase in marijuana use in colleges has many psychological explanations. Research has shown that both Whites and African-Americans that attend HBCUs generally use substances and drugs at lower levels than their counterparts in other regular institutions. The reasons why the regular universities rate of consumption of marijuana is higher than that of HBUCs cannot be directly singularly stated.
Literature Review
Drug use at Historically Black Universities and Colleges is a factor that cannot be refuted. The students here engage themselves in the consumption of various drugs. Marijuana is a major drug that is used by not only students here but also by the general public. Despite there being firm rules against the consumption of drugs, it is evident that the problem is still existent. Numerous articles and other news related productions have indicated and proofed that drug use behind colleges and universities is in the rise. In May 2008, there was the public arrest of various students on drug related charges. The incidence also highlighted the sophistication of the drug sellers in the campuses today (Fletcher and Epstein 5). The drug problem in HBCUs has become so big that the respective management of the universities has felt that they cannot handle the incidences alone.
Joseph Califano, founding chairman of the National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), says that the drug stakes have increased steadily in the past years with numerous hard drugs being used and sold by students in the Universities. Further, local university police have noted a big uptick in relation to the numbers of crimes related to drug use. These crimes include fights, robbery, vandalism, and property damage. While the number of college students who binge and drink has remained fairly constant from 1993 to 2005, it is interesting to note that the rate of daily marijuana intakes have more than doubled in the same period. Further, the use of other illegal drugs such as cocaine in the universities has also increased by up to 52% according to the report indications of a CASA study (Wyche and Frierson 247). The same study also indicated that just about under half of full time university students indulged in illegal drugs such as marijuana.
One of the universities that have been faced with the problem of marijuana use by its students is the Southern Methodist University. The university has publicly been involved in the news over certain issues regarding the use of drugs by its students (Brown and Snyder 89). Consequently, the drug problem being so persistent in the campus, there was the general decision to incorporate the services of the local police. Therefore, the university administration has conjoined forces with the police so as to tackle the persistent problem of drugs in school, marijuana being number one in the list of notoriously used drugs. The cocaine overdose of a female student in the campus in 2007 was the chief cause of particular interest by the police over the given institution. This therefore means that if the case had not been experienced in the campus, there probably would not be any major findings over drug use in the campus. Therefore, the conclusion that there exists the same or even higher use of drug in numerous campuses across the United States can be made.
Evidently, there is the wide perception and belief that the black Americans are involved in consuming drugs more than the indigenous citizens of United States. The causes of this perception can be numerous. One of the main influencers of this perception is the fact that the black Americans are the lesser majority in the country. Further, it can be concluded that the influence of race and prejudice on making of this judgment is big. The black students comprise most of the population in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The general and more so natural factor of race is a major contributor and influencer in their respective consumption of drugs. The intricacy of the subject matter of race and drug abuse is diverse. If most individuals were to be given a platform to give views on why they were abusing marijuana, the students in HBCU would point fingers to their race (Fletcher and Epstein 5). It is however interesting to note that this is something that they cannot explain themselves.
Another influencer to students in HBCUs in relation to drug consumption, marijuana in particular, is poverty. The fact that most of the students in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities are from poor backgrounds, compared to the ones in the regular universities cannot be denied. The consumption of marijuana as a result of poverty comes about. Students from poor backgrounds in the HBCUs therefore tend to consume marijuana and other drugs. The reasons for doing so as a result of poverty are psychological.
Generally, peer pressure can be blamed for most of the vices, or praised for the little goods, it has effected. It is evident that most of the individuals involved with the consumption of marijuana are doing so because certain individuals are also doing so. Popular students in the universities can influence to a large extent the use of this drug by other students. This factor applies not only to HBCUs but also to other regular universities. Evidently, the use of drugs as a result of peer pressure can be said to constitute to a large number of drug abuse cases.
The general environment that one was brought up also influences their general characters not only in the short run but also in the long run. Historically Black Colleges and Universities are mainly composed of black students. It is true that most of the black students in these universities are from backgrounds that are not only racist, but also segregate themselves in the ghettos. The milieu that is offered for growth to the black child in the ghetto is a major influencer to their respective future. Drug abuse in the ghetto is a common and to some extend, accepted practice. Therefore, when the children brought up in the ghetto go to the universities, mostly Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the chances that continuity of former behavioral patterns will be experienced are high. Therefore, marijuana use, which is by far the most abused drug, is likely to grow in the HBCUs. The environmental factor as an influencer of drug abuse coupled with other factors such as peer pressure tend to increase the numbers of students that are involved with drug abuse. It may as well be the reason that marijuana consumption in the recent years has risen to become the most used drug.
Regular universities on the other hand are mostly comprised of students from rich backgrounds. Further, the number of international students from all over the world in these universities is generally higher than that of the students in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. One of the main influencers in the regular universities in relation to substance abuse is peer pressure. Marijuana is also readily available to these students.
There is extensive cultural composition of the student population in the regular universities. This is as a result of diverse cultures from all over the world being integrated in the same campuses. Further, the number of students that apply and join the regular universities is higher than that of the students who are in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Marijuana being readily available, the chances of these students engaging in its use is very high.
Discussion
Is marijuana consumption higher in Historically Black Colleges and Universities higher than that in regular universities? The correct answer to this question is no. The consumption levels and rates of marijuana in the regular universities are by far higher than those in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This fact is generated from numerous research findings on the subject matter.
There are many reasons that contribute to making this true. As seen in the literature review, the exposure levels in the regular universities are usually higher than that in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The diverse culture availability and integration in the regular universities creates an enabling environment for the practice. Further, the availability of marijuana in the universities is high. This factor is a major influence to the general intake of the drug by students in the respective universities.
As indicated in the literature review, the students in the regular universities are financially stronger than those in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Marijuana is a drug that does not come cheap. With this factor in mind, the students in regular universities, coupled with the exposure, are able to easily purchase marijuana. Further, this factor is enhanced by the influential factor of peer pressure.
Another factor that contributes to the regular universities consumption of marijuana to be higher than that of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities is population (Kapner 6). Evidently, there is higher number of enrolment of students in the regular universities in the regular universities than in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The high population is contributed to by the number of international students as well as the larger population of indigenous citizens of the United States. With a higher number of students, the chances of more students involving themselves in drug abuse, particularly the consumption of marijuana, are high. It is a factor that seems to statically influence the general standings of the current polls over marijuana consumption.
Despite the statistical standings that the regular universities have a higher rate of drug and substance use, marijuana for precision, over the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, it does not entirely mean that the problem is not dire or non existent in the latter institutions. The problem of marijuana intake in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities is also big. There are various reasons and factors, as indicated in the literature review that contribute immensely to the high intake or consumption of the illegal drugs and substances.
Recommendations
Drug and substance abuse in the society is a major problem. Particularly, the vice is a major issue as it has infiltrated into various educational institutions. Marijuana consumption had declined in the early years of 1980. However, the steady increase of its use in the following years, especially in the 1990’s leaves one with numerous questions regarding the subject. What went wrong? Why did the positive trend of reduction in the consumption of marijuana in the 1980’s suddenly reverse its course? Could there be a legal role into the whole process? One is forced to ask so many questions over the whole process.
It is evident that the process should be reversed once again. The government and other concerned stakeholders such as parents and universities administrations’ need to go back to the drawing board. This is one of the processes that can be easily adopted to enhance the process of changing the rather dangerous course of drug and substance abuse. If the processes, programs, and practices of the 1980’s are adopted or revisited, the chances of eliminating or reducing the high intakes of marijuana consumption by not only the university students but also the larger population are high.
Another mode of reversing the current dangerous trend of increase in the number of users of marijuana is to involve the students themselves. The government and the university administration should involve the students in the process of trying to curb the dangerous trend of drug and substance abuse. One of the direct modes of involvement of the students is through training and sensitization. The university administration should not just impose tough laws, regulation, and penalties involving the use of marijuana and other drugs. Teaching students and sensitizing them over the dangers and negativities that accompany marijuana use should be adequately and timely applied. This process has the direct effect of reducing the number of peer pressured cases in relation to drug and substance abuse. Further, most of the students who take marijuana as a result of having little, none, or misinformed knowledge can be able to alter their decisions and actions.
Creation of policies that strongly prohibit drug intake in schools is a major step towards reducing the use of marijuana in Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as other regular universities. Tough penalties, such as expulsion without the possibility of enrollment in any other university within the United States should be adopted. The effect of this process is that the students, who are simply defiant and want to use the drug despite the authoritative stand, will have second thoughts over doing so.
Another process that can help in changing or reversing the current rising trend in the use of marijuana in our universities is the inclusion of the relevant security personnel. Just as is the case with the Southern Methodist University, involving the professionals to deal with drug related problems accruing in the schools today helps to a large extent in curbing drug substance.
Conclusion
Evidently, the consumption of drugs by numerous individuals, students being of particular interest in this research, is a problem that needs urgent addressing. As has been observed in the research, the use of marijuana as well as other drugs in the Universities in the United States of America is fast gaining speed. It is upon various players in the sector, including parents and the government to urgently intervene so as to avoid the dangers or the pitfalls that are in place with the continuity of this process.
WORKS CITED
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Cermak, Timmen. Marijuana: what’s a parent to believe? Manhattan: Hazelden Publishing,
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Brown, Waln & Wendy Snyder. Facts about Marijuana. New York: William Gladden
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Kapner, Daniel. “Alcohol and Other Drug Use at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”
The Higher Education Centre for Alcohol and other Drug Abuse and Violence
Prevention, 2003. Web. 11 April 2011.
(http://www.higheredcenter.org/files/product/hbcu.pdf)
Fletcher, B. W. & J. Epstein. “AOD Prevention Efforts at Historically Black Colleges and
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