Prescription drug abuse has significantly increased over the past ten to fifteen
years; especially on college campuses. This growing problem is one many people are aware
of, but few are talking about. My research agenda focuses on learning more about the
phenomenon of prescription drug abuse particularly opiates (Oxycontin and Vicodin) and
stimulants (Adderall and Ritalin). A lot of research has been conducted on undergraduate
students, but yesterday's undergraduate students are today's graduate students,
which currently remains relatively unstudied. Graduate students’ experience similar, if
not more, stressors as undergraduates; however, few people study their experiences with
prescription drugs. 

My expertise began with prescription drug abuse after becoming exposed to students who
engaged in the dangerous behavior at a previous institution. The cavalier attitude with
which students were using these drugs startled me and I refused to see more students go
through the pain of addiction. 

The rest of my work focuses on Entry Level Experiences of student affairs staff.
Specifically, I am interested in the competencies staff learn in their first three to
four years working in higher education. Additionally, I am curious as to why staff decide
to leave the field. 

I obtained my Ph.D. and M.S. at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in Higher
Education Administration in May of 2012 and College Student Personnel in August of 2007,
respectively. While obtaining my degrees, I worked for the Department of University
Housing. Prior to The University of Tennessee I worked at Shenandoah University briefly
after graduating from Christopher Newport University with my B.A. in philosophy. I am
currently working at the University of West Georgia as an Assistant Professor of
Counselor Education and College Student Affairs.

Adderall Abuse

Link

Adderall Abuse on College Campuses: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work (2012)

Prescription stimulant abuse has dramatically increased over the past 10 years, but the amount of...

 

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Prescription Stimulant Use by Graduate Students, Doctoral Dissertations (2012)

The purpose of this study was to measure graduate student prescription stimulant use by assessing...