The purpose of this research is to identify the perceptions of harm and of availability of prescription opioids, mainly Vicodin. The main focus of the research is to discover whether students’ majors, particularly science and healthcare, play a significant role in these perceptions. Through this research, our goal is to make the public more aware of prescription drug abuse and common conceptions/misconceptions about prescription drugs. This research was conducted by collecting data from students who attend Wheeling Jesuit University by means of anonymous surveys. The results of the perception questions are then tested against the majors identified on the survey. With prescription drug abuse being an increasing problem in the Ohio Valley, it seemed fitting to see how college age students perceived prescription drugs. Students were asked questions such as where they thought people acquired Vicodin from, other than from a prescription, as well as various insights on the percentage of people using/abusing Vicodin. The data will be analyzed and final conclusions will be drawn on if a student’s major influences the perception of harm of prescription opioids. The implications of this research are to make the general population more aware of the perceptions of college age students about prescription drug abuse. It could also be used as a tool to design better future programs about raising awareness of prescription drug abuse in the university setting.<br/>

Does science education affect college students' perceptions of harm and of availability of prescription opioids

251st National Meeting (2016)

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