Chapter 8
What would you do if you realized you had become addicted to marijuana?
After reading the following statements, respond to each one by writing yes or no.
1. The use of illegal drugs on college campuses in the United States is widespread.
2. I have never experimented with illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD).
3. The use of marijuana should be legalized.
4. Cocaine and heroin are not dangerous drugs if they are used in moderation.
5. Drug use by college students is not a problem in my country.
6. Smoking marijuana is less harmful than drinking alcohol.
7. Drinking alcohol and taking illegal drugs are prohibited by my religion.
8. I am addicted to legal drugs such as nicotine in cigarettes, caffeine in coffee, cola
drinks, and chocolate, or alcohol in wine, beer, and liquor.
9. My parents have educated me on the dangers of using illegal drugs.
10. 1 know people who use illegal drugs.
11. Routine drug testing should be implemented in schools to help prevent drug abuse.
12. Because drug testing is an invasion of an individual's privacy, it cannot be justified.
compulsive physiological need for a habit-forming drug
prudent and careful in the face of danger or risk
substance produced from coca leaves that produces intoxication
tried to discover something not yet known
headache, nausea as aftereffects of drinking much alcohol
strongly physiologically addictive narcotic
to meddle; to enter into the concerns of others
a person who is more interested in himself or herself than in the envi-ronment or other people
directly opposite to what is or might be expected
shown to have had a sufficient legal reason; shown to be right
the dried leaves and flowering tops of the hemp plant that are smokedin cigarettes for their intoxicating effect
full of doubt and uncertainty; puzzled, confused
being in accordance with established procedure; regular and habitual
the act of suspecting something wrong without proof or on slightevidence
distributed or occurring over a wide area
Reefer Madness; dir. Louis Gasnier, 1936, U.S.
After you read the case study, discuss the major problem the case presents and answer thediscussion questions with the members of the class. Then write a case study report folio-wingthe format that is provided.
Akiko Nakamura, from Kyoto, Japan, is a first-year student at Field College in New York
City. She has been having a hard time adjusting to college life despite the fact that she spent
her junior year in high school living with an American family in Philadelphia and attending an
American high school. Although her English is excellent, she feels a bit unsure of herself
and, being an introvert by nature, hasn't made too many friends yet. She tends to bury
herself in her studies and to write lots of letters to her friends in Japan and her family. She
also often calls her older American host "brother," Kevin, who is studying law in Philadel-
phia, to get his opinion on different things. She and Kevin have been close ever since she
lived with his family, and she chose Field College because it was near Philadelphia.
It was the evening of October 31, and Akiko was sitting at her desk in her dorm room
when her friend Barbara Coleman knocked at the open door and came in.
"Hi, Akiko. How about going with me to the Halloween party at Dan and Carl's
house? I bet it will be quite a scene," said Barbara with a big smile.
"Oh, thanks, but I have to study for my microeconomics test on Monday," replied
Akiko. "I heard it would be tough."
"Hey, come on.You can't study all the time. Let's go on over about ten o'clock. You
need to get out and relax a little bit," Barb said.
"Well, okay. I guess I could go. I've never been to a Halloween party," Akiko reluctantly
agreed. She had been feeling kind of down lately, so maybe going to a party would cheer
her up. Barbara was one of her few friends, and she was such fun to be with.
When she got to the party, Akiko was sorry that she had let Barbara convince her to
come because she hardly knew anyone, which made her feel out of place, as usual. But then
Jerry Hill, who was in her business law class, came over and started talking to her. He was
smoking and offered Akiko a cigarette. Akiko accepted, but after taking her first puff, she
"What kind of cigarette is this?" she asked Jerry.
"Come on, Akiko.You know it's pot," replied Jerry, laughing.
"Oh, well, I guess I never tried pot before. Hey, this is so cool. I like how it's making
me feel," Akiko said softly, after several minutes had gone by. Everyone began to seem very
friendly, and the music sounded more beautiful, and the colors looked so bright.
From then on, whenever Akiko went out to a party, she smoked marijuana, and she
decided that since it didn't hurt her, she wouldn't worry about it. She noticed that now she
liked to smoke three or four cigarettes in an evening, which was more than she had smoked
in the beginning, but she loved the way pot made her feel-so calm and happy and like she
belonged in the group. And she didn't even have a hangover the next morning, which was
what often happened when she drank too much beer or wine.
In fact, Akiko had also started smoking dope in her dorm room during the day when
she had some spare time. It usually didn't interfere with her studying, and she rarely cut
Potential Costs and Benefits of Smoking Cessation for New Jersey Pennsylvania State University, Capital College, School of Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Departments of Surgery and Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Department of Health Acknowledgements This study was made possible by a grant from Pfizer Inc. Executive Summary Background.