Specifically, hallucinogens and cocaine have switched places in the list. Table 3.8 summarizes the ages at which students reported starting the use of each drug. While historically the average age of first use is between the ages of 14 and 16 for many drugs, note that for cocaine, sedatives, opiates, designer drugs, steroids, and other illegal drugs, the 18 to 25 year age range incurs the highest percentage of reported first use. The highest percent of reported first use for tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens, and inhalants occurs at younger ages, but even for those drugs there are significant numbers of students who began using between the ages of 18 and 25. Consequences Table 3.9 lists the self-reported consequences of alcohol and other drug use during the last year.
Several findings are relevant to the academic environment.
Almost one-fifth of the students reported that they performed poorly on a test or important project due to substance use and missed a class due to substance use. Also, 19.2 percent reported memory loss or blackouts, and 39.8 percent reported being sick or nauseated. Note that 30.3 percent of the students reported activities under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that they later regretted, 26.7 percent had a fight or argument, and 11.7 percent reported being physically hurt or injured as a consequence of substance use. A substantial contrast exists between the 33.4 percent of students who had driven under the influence and the 2.1 percent who had been arrested for drunk driving. Alcohol Use and Academic Performance Table 3.10 describes the relationship between the average number of drinks consumed per week and self-reported grade average.