Illegal Drugs

Club

Drug use among college students is prevalent, due to factors such as increased freedom, unstructured free time, and perceived norms of college life.

However, drug use is associated with adverse academic and health outcomes and risks to personal safety, and is a significant public health concern. Compiled here are resources related to drug abuse prevention among college students.

Scope

National Data

The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) report includes the following selected key findings1:

  • 3.1% of people (8.9 million) misused opioids in the past year, which is similar to 2022 and 2021 (3.2% and 8.9 million, 3.4% and 9.4 million respectively).
  • Between 2017 and 2020, hallucinogen use among college students more than doubled (4.1% compared to 8.6%).
  • Approximately 5.6 % of college students report past-year nonmedical prescription drug use with estimates ranging from 8.4 % for prescription stimulants to 3.7 % for prescription opioids.
  • Among college students, rates of illicit drug use in the past year (other than marijuana) are estimated at about 20%.
  • Common causes of substance use disorder in college students include coping with stress, peer pressure, genetics, and availability of drugs and alcohol.

According to the 2025 Monitoring the Future Survey2, past year use rates for various substances among college students are as follows:

  • Any drug use other than cannabis: 13.9%
  • Hallucinogens (LSD, ketamine, MDMA/ecstasy): 7.3%
  • Amphetamines/Stimulants: 4.1%
  • Sedatives/Tranquilizers (sleeping medications and anti-anxiety medications): 0.6%
  • Methamphetamines: 0.1%
  • Heroin: 0.1%

Missouri Data

Among Missouri college students, rates of illicit drug use in the past year (other than marijuana) are estimated at about 11%.

In the past year, Missouri college students report rates of use as follows:

  • Delta 8 THC: 8.3%
  • Hallucinogens: 4.2%
  • Amphetamines: 3.1%
  • Cocaine: 1.4%
  • Inhalants: 0.9%
  • MDMA/ecstasy: 0.7%
  • Heroin: 0.2%

Missouri college student data is from the 2025 Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors (MACHB) survey.

Data Briefs

At a Glance

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Best Practices

Evidence Based Educational Programming

Effective educational programming includes the following elements:

  • Increases students’ knowledge regarding the effects and the potential safety, health, social, academic and legal consequences of drug misuse
  • Increases awareness regarding the signs and symptoms of drug misuse and dependency
  • Assists students in evaluating their expectations regarding, and motivations for drug use
  • Provides training in stress management, resistance skills and media literacy
  • Assists students in exploring alternatives to drug use for socializing, destressing and celebrating
  • Assists students in knowing how to help a friend in trouble
  • Corrects misperception regarding norms for drug use at their institution
  • Provides students with information about campus and community alcohol and other drug prevention, student assistance, and wellness and health promotion resources

Strategic Planning

Effective strategic planning and implementation of strategies at various levels of the socio-ecological model are necessary for drug misuse prevention.

Detection and Early Intervention of Substance Use Disorders

National Resources

Inclusion of a particular resource is not an official endorsement from Partners in Prevention or any of our funding sources.

PIP Resources

Educational Materials

PIP has developed brochures, bulletin boards, social media playbooks, and other resources to assist campuses in educating students and preventing drug use. Email our staff at pip@missouri.edu to access resources.

Research

Relevant Research Articles

Citations
  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP24-07-021, NSDUH Series H-59). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-nsduh-annual-national-report
  2. Patrick, M. E., Miech, R. A., Johnston, L. D., & O’Malley, P. M. (2025). Monitoring the Future Panel Study annual report: National data on substance use among adults ages 19 to 65, 1976–2024. Monitoring the Future Monograph Series. Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. https://dx.doi.org/10.7302/26783 Available at: https://monitoringthefuture.org/results/annual-reports/