Which statement is true?
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
- probably cause more discussion and controversy than almost any other subject in the U.S.
- are the cause of many health problems.
- are the cause of many positive health outcomes, cures, treatments and good feelings as much as anything else on earth
- All of the above
If you answered "D," you are in touch with the world around you. Congratulations!
This site will provide information regarding all drugs (substances) in a fair and even-handed manner. Prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, herbal preparations and extracts, legal and illegal chemicals, coffee, tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, even the substances contained in chocolate, all share risks and benefits associated with their use. All substances that people can put into their bodies have the potential for positive and/or negative outcomes. In a world filled with thousands of mind/body altering substances that can be put into the body, human beings are faced with many decisions related to what substances to use and in which ways to use them. Everyone develops relationships with substances over their lifetime. Hopefully, the information that is found here will make some of those decisions a little clearer.
Here, you will find resources on alcohol (the most used and abused drug in our society), tobacco (nicotine is the most addictive drug known to humans) and many other drugs (substances) that are important for students to have information about. It will be a constant work in progress. Please let us know what information and resources will be beneficial to you while you are at NIU.
Alcohol
Most NIU Students Drink Moderately
On average, NIU students drink 0-4 drinks when they "party," and on average, "party" one time per week, or not at all. In addition to drinking moderately, most students also drink safely. The vast majority of students did not hurt themselves or anyone else as a consequence of their drinking in the last school year. In fact, 67% of NIU students reported practicing at least one of the following safer drinking tips the last time they "partied:"
- pace drinks to one drink per hour or less
- choose not to drink alcohol
- avoid drinking games
- keep track of how much you drink
- determine ahead of time how many drinks you will have
Please check back often for an ever-increasing collection of tips and information designed to help keep you safe and healthy when dealing with the drug, alcohol.
Tobacco
7 out of 10 NIU students choose not to smoke. Of those students who do smoke, 9 out of 10 want to quit.
Health Enhancement offers several ways to help NIU students successfully quit smoking.
- Stop Smoking Quit Kits are available at Health Enhancement offices and at various outreach sites on campus including the Wellness Room at the Recreation Center and at Health Enhancement outreach tables in Holmes Student Center. To get a Quit Kit, stop by one of these locations, fill out a short questionnaire and begin the process of becoming tobacco free!
- The "Xtreme Air" Smoking Cessation Program is a one-on-one coaching program that provides assistance and support to students who want to quit smoking. A one-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy is available to interested students.
- Resources for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
If you or someone you know is interested in quitting smoking, click here for a few tips to help get you started.
Other Drugs (Substances)
Other drugs run the gamut from prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, herbal preparations and extracts, to legal and illegal chemicals and common beverages or foods containing some of the aforementioned substances. Society tends to categorize drugs as either "good" or "bad" depending on what the current culture believes about them. For example, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries many medicines (prescriptive and OTC) contained cannabis (marijuana), cocaine, or heroin. When society decided that the negative consequences outweighed the positive outcomes, they were banned. Recently, there have been several prescriptions drugs that have been withdrawn from the market for similar reasons. The process and history of how and what substances are allowed, encouraged or banned is fascinating and ever-changing.
The topic of drugs and drug use and abuse continues to draw substantial debate and discussion in the U.S. as we struggle as a culture to gain maximum benefit from drugs while minimizing harmful effects.