Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jan 2004
Source: East Carolinian (NC Edu)
Copyright: 2004 The East Carolinian
Contact:  http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/774
Author: Holly O'Neal,

COCAINE USE RISING AT ECU

Arrests Also Increasing

A growing number of students concerned with cocaine addiction began
seeing ECU Substance Abuse Counselor Bob Morphet in 2001.

Since then, he has seen those initial concerns multiply.

"Anecdotally, cocaine use had become more prevalent here and
nationwide," said Morphet.

"[Now], the research has caught up with what's on the
streets."

According to ECU's Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, which is given to a
sample that reflects the university's enrollment, 8.6 percent of those
surveyed in 2001 admitted to using cocaine at least once in their
lives. In 2002, that percentage was 9.1.

ECU does not show a greater increase than other schools, which Morphet
said is both a good and bad thing.

Morphet said he predicts 2004's survey results in March to show even
more students trying cocaine.

Consistent users who report using cocaine once a month or more than
three times a week comprise a small portion of the university - around
2 percent. However, this is the group that suffers the consequences of
addiction.

"Cocaine is incredibly addictive. It's more psychologically addictive
than other drugs," Morphet said.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse says when cocaine is
administered-college students most often snort cocaine-it works deep
within the brain to produce a build-up of the neurotransmitter
dopamine. Dopamine then collects in a pleasure-producing area,
creating the users high.

The euphoric, slightly restless state cocaine produces is one of its
appeals to college students, Morphet said. Being able to stay awake
and party all night is difficult to refuse, especially if a solution
to sleep is available.

"I've heard cocaine called 'the rich man's drug,'" said Seth Van
Patten, junior cultural anthropology major.

"It seems like ECU has more rich kids now. That wealth gives them the
opportunity to get their hands on it."

But a one-night stand with cocaine is risky.

"It's very difficult to experiment [with cocaine] without becoming
addicted," said Mary Louise Antieau, director of student conflict
resolution.

"There's never as good a high as the first time, so why try to
replicate it? Sometimes, when college students are exposed to cocaine
in social settings, they think it's cool to experiment with it, but
they don't understand the addictive power of the drug."

Antieau said cocaine at ECU comes from two different sources: drug
dealers who target students and students who bring their habits with
them from home and connect with area dealers.

The trend of increased regular cocaine use is "worrisome" to Antieau
for safety reasons.

"With any illicit drug, you don't know how it was made, under what
conditions and what the purity of the dose is," Antieau said.

For cocaine use, possession and intent to sell, ECU's policy is
strict: in addition to state penalties, possession of a Schedule II
drug like cocaine brings a suspension for at least one semester. Upon
reenrollment, a student must provide a clean urine sample within 30
days.

Individuals charged with possession with intent to sell or traffic are
expelled from the entire UNC-system.

Sgt. Curtis Hayes of the ECU Police Department said arrests for
cocaine violations rose from two to seven from 2002-03.

Hayes said his department has been pursuing drug violations more
aggressively.

"Our officers have had more training in detection of drug related
crimes," Hayes said. Violence related to drug use and sales is also a
concern, since the drug increases aggressiveness.

The rise of cocaine use among college students mirrors that of
ecstasy, which grew in popularity until 1997.

Use of ecstasy decreased after the media changed the college-aged
perception of the drug by airing programs on its negative
consequences.

Morphet said while marijuana and alcohol use stay constant among
college students, harder drugs tend to experience periods of "ebb and
flow."

Though numerous academic reports show an individual has a higher
likelihood to try cocaine if they use marijuana and/or alcohol, no
correlation between the drugs was seen in the research at ECU.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin