Which schools have a noticeable or dominant drug culture?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m asking about schools where getting high or being under the influence is common place and considered acceptable on a regular basis. Schools where a kid who doesn’t use drugs would feel out of place.

Yes.

[Anonymous]

My DC is a freshman at St John’s in Annapolis and has been surprised by the amount of pot and coke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure your kid can find friends, drinkers and non drinkers in most schools. But I think your concern is very understandable. Not just in college but in high school, we have seen two many negatively effected by drugs and drinking.
We have two kids in college at different schools, both known for a party bent. Neither are big partiers and one doesn’t drink at all.
JMU and VA Tech.

FYI - Pot smokers are not big partiers and don't drink much.

+1 my kid is a pot smoker (unfortunatley) and does not drink and really doesn't go out much. They just like to chill and watch movies, or hang out with friends. In fact, they are trying to get themselves out more and said that weed just makes them tired and too chill to bother to go out. I would not consdier them "a partier".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure your kid can find friends, drinkers and non drinkers in most schools. But I think your concern is very understandable. Not just in college but in high school, we have seen two many negatively effected by drugs and drinking.
We have two kids in college at different schools, both known for a party bent. Neither are big partiers and one doesn’t drink at all.
JMU and VA Tech.

FYI - Pot smokers are not big partiers and don't drink much.

+1 my kid is a pot smoker (unfortunatley) and does not drink and really doesn't go out much. They just like to chill and watch movies, or hang out with friends. In fact, they are trying to get themselves out more and said that weed just makes them tired and too chill to bother to go out. I would not consdier them "a partier".

Wow not good for the developing brain for sure.

My nephew was like this and lacks motivation /direction to this day.

It is an addictive drug for many.

[Anonymous]

Howard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UVM Burlington, UC Boulder

CU-Boulder does not have a dominant drug culture. Pot is used by many, but not the dominant culture. Outdoor activities dominate CU-Boulder, not drugs or alcohol.

I appear to be wrong about the high degree of drug usage at CU-Boulder according to multiple sources.

https://therecoveryvillage.com/teen-addiction/least-sober-colleges/

Note that many are big schools.

My kid’s small, rural LAC attracted most kids to campus activities because there were no competing activities in town. Also everyone had to live on campus, so fewer wild house parties off campus. Plus, on Friday nights they always had a fun event to counter alcohol options (such as paintball).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the replies. I’m asking about the schools where it would be hard to find a friend group if you aren’t into hanging out & getting high on a daily or several times a week basis.

The vast majority of bigger schools will have a significant portion of students who don't drink or do drugs - or are at least cautious or prudent about it. Drinking in particular is not nearly as widespread as it was 20-30 years ago. Weed use of course is up. But there are tons of students who are pretty clean living. At the better schools, even if you do drink or smoke, it's maybe Thursday to Saturday. No one is imbibing anything on a Tuesday.

I'd be more concerned with smaller liberal arts colleges. Much smaller social group. Generally, very isolated with not a lot to do. There will always be students going hard. Think it would be tougher there

Agree.

Of those I’d be more concerned with ones with conformist culture. There aren’t any alternatives at schools like Claremont McKenna or Colgate.

Right. Much better to go to open-minded schools like Oberlin or Hampshire, where you can just be yourself & everyone will leave you alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the replies. I’m asking about the schools where it would be hard to find a friend group if you aren’t into hanging out & getting high on a daily or several times a week basis.

The vast majority of bigger schools will have a significant portion of students who don't drink or do drugs - or are at least cautious or prudent about it. Drinking in particular is not nearly as widespread as it was 20-30 years ago. Weed use of course is up. But there are tons of students who are pretty clean living. At the better schools, even if you do drink or smoke, it's maybe Thursday to Saturday. No one is imbibing anything on a Tuesday.

I'd be more concerned with smaller liberal arts colleges. Much smaller social group. Generally, very isolated with not a lot to do. There will always be students going hard. Think it would be tougher there

Agree.

Of those I’d be more concerned with ones with conformist culture. There aren’t any alternatives at schools like Claremont McKenna or Colgate.

Right. Much better to go to open-minded schools like Oberlin or Hampshire, where you can just be yourself & everyone will leave you alone.

Still remember the review about Hampshire College athletics = take a hit of acid while playing on the swingset.

No problem with categorizing Oberlin as non-conformist.

Agrre that both CMC & Colgate are heavy drinking schools, but don't know about whether or not drugs are in widespread use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure your kid can find friends, drinkers and non drinkers in most schools. But I think your concern is very understandable. Not just in college but in high school, we have seen two many negatively effected by drugs and drinking.
We have two kids in college at different schools, both known for a party bent. Neither are big partiers and one doesn’t drink at all.
JMU and VA Tech.

FYI - Pot smokers are not big partiers and don't drink much.

+1 my kid is a pot smoker (unfortunatley) and does not drink and really doesn't go out much. They just like to chill and watch movies, or hang out with friends. In fact, they are trying to get themselves out more and said that weed just makes them tired and too chill to bother to go out. I would not consdier them "a partier".

Wow not good for the developing brain for sure.

My nephew was like this and lacks motivation /direction to this day.

It is an addictive drug for many.

well in fairness my "kid" is 21. Not much I can do about it. It's their life to live and lesson to learn. That being said, this same kid works two intetnships, a campus job and attends class for their five courses. They just don't go "out" on the weekends drinking and partying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure your kid can find friends, drinkers and non drinkers in most schools. But I think your concern is very understandable. Not just in college but in high school, we have seen two many negatively effected by drugs and drinking.
We have two kids in college at different schools, both known for a party bent. Neither are big partiers and one doesn’t drink at all.
JMU and VA Tech.

FYI - Pot smokers are not big partiers and don't drink much.

+1 my kid is a pot smoker (unfortunatley) and does not drink and really doesn't go out much. They just like to chill and watch movies, or hang out with friends. In fact, they are trying to get themselves out more and said that weed just makes them tired and too chill to bother to go out. I would not consdier them "a partier".

Wow not good for the developing brain for sure.

My nephew was like this and lacks motivation /direction to this day.

It is an addictive drug for many.

well in fairness my "kid" is 21. Not much I can do about it. It's their life to live and lesson to learn. That being said, this same kid works two intetnships, a campus job and attends class for their five courses. They just don't go "out" on the weekends drinking and partying.

I hope he continues to do well.

Just raised this point because many parents look the other way when kids smoke pot in high school. They may not be aware of the scientific evidence which warns of longterm consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure your kid can find friends, drinkers and non drinkers in most schools. But I think your concern is very understandable. Not just in college but in high school, we have seen two many negatively effected by drugs and drinking.
We have two kids in college at different schools, both known for a party bent. Neither are big partiers and one doesn’t drink at all.
JMU and VA Tech.

FYI - Pot smokers are not big partiers and don't drink much.

+1 my kid is a pot smoker (unfortunatley) and does not drink and really doesn't go out much. They just like to chill and watch movies, or hang out with friends. In fact, they are trying to get themselves out more and said that weed just makes them tired and too chill to bother to go out. I would not consdier them "a partier".

Wow not good for the developing brain for sure.

My nephew was like this and lacks motivation /direction to this day.

It is an addictive drug for many.

Marijuana does affect the brain in those under 25. DP here with another nephew cautionary tale. I wouldn't be so cavalier about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the replies. I’m asking about the schools where it would be hard to find a friend group if you aren’t into hanging out & getting high on a daily or several times a week basis.

The vast majority of bigger schools will have a significant portion of students who don't drink or do drugs - or are at least cautious or prudent about it. Drinking in particular is not nearly as widespread as it was 20-30 years ago. Weed use of course is up. But there are tons of students who are pretty clean living. At the better schools, even if you do drink or smoke, it's maybe Thursday to Saturday. No one is imbibing anything on a Tuesday.

I'd be more concerned with smaller liberal arts colleges. Much smaller social group. Generally, very isolated with not a lot to do. There will always be students going hard. Think it would be tougher there

Agree.

Of those I’d be more concerned with ones with conformist culture. There aren’t any alternatives at schools like Claremont McKenna or Colgate.

Right. Much better to go to open-minded schools like Oberlin or Hampshire, where you can just be yourself & everyone will leave you alone.

Still remember the review about Hampshire College athletics = take a hit of acid while playing on the swingset.

No problem with categorizing Oberlin as non-conformist.

Agrre that both CMC & Colgate are heavy drinking schools, but don't know about whether or not drugs are in widespread use.

They are heavy rich-kid drug schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a freshman at St John’s in Annapolis and has been surprised by the amount of pot and coke.

It is not a competitive college - you're going to get plenty of slouches and slouches behave that way.

Again the richer the kids, the more they can afford pot and coke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Faber College

I would add Coolidge College and Harrison University to the list.

[Anonymous]

Big 10 grad here - I never did drugs and rarely drank. Wasn't an issue at a big school. Like others have said, you'll find your people there.