Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs: Perceptions of Minority College Students

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine undergraduate minority students’ perceptions towards the nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 (68.2% female; 40.9% Asian; mean age = 20 years) minority students from a large Midwestern university in the US. Results: Four major themes were revealed: motives for the nonmedical use of prescription drugs, sources for obtaining drugs, the influence of the college environment and areas surrounding the university, and suggested prevention programming. Conclusion: Findings revealed several problem areas among college students, especially among minorities. It is critical that programs and policies on college campuses increase efforts to address the misuse of prescription drugs. Prevention efforts should also incorporate cultural factors to address minority students on campus.