The recreational use of club drugs has spread among young people and college students in recent years. Club drugs are commonly seen at raves or parties that go on all night. Club drugs include MDMA (Ecstasy), LSD and methamphetamine. These drugs are known to induce euphoria and for deepening the rave experience with their trance-like effects. Although many college students use club drugs for fun, these drugs can produce adverse effects such as depression, confusion, dehydration, tremors, elevated heart rate and paranoia. Sedatives such as GHB and ketamine are also associated with the college party scene.
The U.S Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention states that in the 1990s college students came into contact with drugs that were used for committing rape on an intoxicated user. Some individuals used these drugs only for recreational purposes; however, some used it with the intention of raping the intoxicated individual. Sedatives such as ketamine and GHB induce muscle relaxation and make the user more uninhibited, often to the point of unconsciousness. These drugs can be slipped into an individual's drink without her knowing. The Higher Education Center also cites that college students are at risk of sexual violence from alcohol more than any other drug.
The Higher Education Center states that approximately 1,700 students suffer from fatal car crashes resulting from alcohol abuse; a number of school campuses have addressed the issue by focusing on preventative measures for driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention have suggested driver programs involving designated drivers. The programs operate most effectively in group situations, where a sober individual drives if the driver is intoxicated.
Per the U.S. Department of Justice, past year cocaine use by college students increased from 2.9 percent in 1996 to 5.4 percent in 2007. However, the rates for past year marijuana use have declined from 33.1 percent in 1996 to 31.8 percent in 2007.
The Higher Education Center states that prevention professionals have made substantial progress in late years by using the environmental management approach. This model promotes offering social, recreational and extracurricular alternatives that exclude alcohol and drugs. The model also focuses on implementing social and academic atmospheres that promotes a healthful well- being. It also aims to reduce drugs and alcohol availability on and off campus; and to restrict the promotion of clubs and raves that are known to promote drug use.