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A recent study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse has found

that marijuana can greatly harm a student’s ability to learn and

function in an educational environment. The study showed that

students that use marijuana are more likely to not do as well as

students who do not use the illegal drug during their college

years.

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According to the study, students who use marijuana are more likely

to drop out of school compared to students who do not use the

illegal drug. The NIDA study also stressed that students who use

marijuana are highly likely to be functioning at a lower

intellectual level than non-smoking students. 

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In the NIDA study, marijuana users were more likely to miss class

and are more likely to have low grades. 

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Some students like UNA Junior Kristen Robertson think that

marijuana use while in an educational environment just does not

make sense. 

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“A lot of students in the dorms use marijuana because they think it

clears their minds before tests.” Robertson said. “It slows your

mind, so of course you are not in the right mindset to do

well.”

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“Factually it does not make sense.” UNA Director of Health and

Wellness Cindy Wood said regarding marijuana use while in

school.

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“It is an oxymoron; something that slows your drive would make you

perform better,” Wood said. “It takes away student’s drive, and

students are going to mellow out and let their life go by.”

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Wood said that not only does smoking marijuana kill brain cells,

but it also disrupts sleep patterns, slows all responses and

worsens any psychological conditions a student may have.

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“Generally, marijuana decreases performance in not just your

student life, but it affects everything across the board.” Kristi

Reece, CRNP with UNA Health and Wellness said.

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Reece warns that the effects of marijuana can end up getting a

student kicked out of school from poor academic performance.

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Recently, Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields sent out

a campus-wide advisory regarding on-campus use of marijuana and

other illegal drugs.

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Shields cited his campus-wide announcement from a recent

nation-wide spike in colleges dealing with illegal drug use on

campus. Shields said universities combating marijuana use is

becoming a national trend. 

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Shields reiterated the university’s policy in his campus-wide

message. “It’s not a new policy, it has always been our policy,”

Shields said. 

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“We have a zero-tolerance policy on drugs at UNA,” Shields

stressed. “If you are doing drugs on campus, it is illegal, and we

will not tolerate it.”

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Shields said that UNA wants students to come to UNA for an

educational experience and engage themselves positively at the

university.

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“We want students to come to UNA to learn, grow and have a positive

college experience,” Shields said. “If you do not want to be here

for that, maybe this is not the campus for you.”

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Shields wants students to know that marijuana use can not only

affect your educational experience, but it can affect many things

in a student’s future. “Infractions at the university can have an

effect on your future job searches,” Shields warned.

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Shields urges students to use the silent witness link on the UNA

Police website to report any suspicious activity on or around

campus. The anonymous witness link is available at

una.edu/police. 

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Wood suggests students take advantage of the services offered by

the UNA Health and Wellness Center. Counselors are available for

students who are suffering with alcohol or substance abuse by

appointment. To make an appointment with a counselor, call

256-765-4328 or visit Bennett Infirmary.