The document discusses the classification and mechanisms of action of various recreational drugs commonly used on US campuses including alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and THC. It notes that alcohol acts as a CNS depressant by stimulating GABA and altering serotonin and dopamine. Nicotine and caffeine act as CNS stimulants in different doses by affecting neurotransmitters like norepinephrine. THC acts as a hallucinogen through partial agonist activity at cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Around 55% of college students report alcohol use. Government agencies like NIAAA monitor substance use amongst college students. Long term use and abuse can lead to health issues like cancer, strokes, and addiction.

1. Obumneke_Amadi- Onuoha, Dr.PH, MPH,MSHS, MS.Pharmacol(c)
Recreational Drug Use in US Campuses
Drug classification of alcohol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), nicotine and caffeine
and their respective mechanism of action:
 Alcohol: categorized as a CNS Depressant : Their respective mechanism of action is,
the stimulation of inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, inducing the release of
endogenous opioid and altering the levels of serotonin and dopamine(p.15). Also,
studies suggest that chronic alcohol use suppresses noradrenergic signaling, and that
there is rebound of the system during acute withdrawal, resulting in increased NE
release.( Fitzgerald, 2013, p.173).
 Nicotine: Categorized as CNS stimulant : Their respective mechanism of action is, in
low doses, nicotine causes ganglionic stimulation, whereas, in high does, it causes its
blockage(p.216). Also, studies suggest that acute administration of nicotine to
humans or animals also appears to affect NE measures, suggesting that this drug may
in part produce its psychological effects by altering noradrenergic signaling(
Fitzgerald, 2013, p.174)
 Caffeine: categorized as a CNS stimulant or a Antihypertensive: Their respective
mechanism of action includes the translocation of extra-cyclic calcium, increase in
cyclic adenosine monophosphate and diesterase, and cyclic guanosine
monophosphate caused by the inhibition of phospho-diesterase and blockage of
adenosine receptors(p.215) : Also, studies suggest that that acute intake of caffeine
modulates noradrenergic measures in human subjects, although the stimulant
properties of this drug are more closely related to effects at adenosine
receptor(Fitzgerald, 2013, p.178) which comprise a group of G protein-coupled
receptors : alpha and beta adrenoceptors(pp. 26 & 235)
 delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): Categorized as Hallucinogens. Their
respective mechanism of action is the partial agonist activity at the cannabinoid
receptor CB1 in the brain.

2. How prevalent the use of these drugs in US campuses and trends in their usage? Is there
any government agency that monitors their usage?
Substance of abuses are undeniable common and are currently a public health problem of great
concern in the USA, and amongst college students. Based on a national survey, nearly 55 percent
of college students ages 18-22 use alcohol(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism,2020), though other substance are not mentioned, individuals that drink alcohol are
subject to use other illicit drugs or smoke. I believe there are government agencies that monitor
college student drug use, e.g. an individual- and environmental-level strategies called
CollegeAIM guide designed to target students at high risk for behavior change and as
information resources on substances of abuse, this is an initiative of the National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Are there any benefits for college students from the use of any of these drugs? Regardless
of the answer, what is the main reason for their use? What are potential adverse effects
from long term use and abuse of these drugs?
I profoundly do not believe there are benefits for the use of the drugs by student, excepts those
that are under medical approval. However, the main reason of drug usage is diverse, e.g. as a
habit, for pleasure, to ease pain, for comforting, peer pressure etc. Individual that use drug in the
long term, either ae medical prescription or otherwise simply get addicted to them and are at risk
of terminal illness such lung cancer, stroke.
Should caffeine use be subjected to strict age regulation as for tobacco, e-cigarettes,
alcohol, and cannabis?
I honestly think caffeine use be subjected to medical and nutritionist health advice before use for
all ages, knowing the rate in decline of quality of life because of the socio- economic and
environmental factors affecting quality of sustainable life, resulting in unprecedented health
problems, cautions should be adhered to caffeine use. In addition, I believe caffeine should be
related to allergies, because it may not be possible to physically discern who may be allergic to
it.

3. Reference
Fitzgerald, P. J. (2013). Elevated norepinephrine may be a unifying etiological factor in the
abuse of a broad range of substances: alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and
caffeine. Substance abuse: research and treatment, 7, SART-S13019.
Williams & Wilkins (2015).Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology: 6th Editions.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 978-1451191776
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(2020).College Drinking. Retrieved rom
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/college-drinking