Public records revealed a trend of drug abuse among students at Texas Tech University throughout the Fall semester.
“I don’t think Texas Tech is any worse than another university,” Aspire Recovery Centers of Texas Admission Counselor Shannon Mason said. “I think we’re focused on it now with recent incidents.”
This issue was brought to light after 19-year-old Hollis Daniels was arrested for drug possession, while a freshman at Tech. This lead to a Texas Tech Police Department officer shot and killed shortly after his arrest.
A search warrant stated Daniels was caught with Xanax and other “unknown tablets” on October 9. Records state Adderall, cocaine, opioid, and marijuana are other popular drugs found with local college students.
TTU Chancellor Robert Duncan told EverythingLubbock.com the student population does not have a drug problem on their campus.
“Young people are young people but I do think in our campus, we really are a safe campus,” Duncan said. “I know that there’s certainly a very important part of our safety and culture is to avoid those things and I’m confident we’re really in good shape here at Texas Tech University.”
Public records listed over 31 cases of drug possession cited by a TTU police officer in the Fall 2017 semester. A majority of these reports stated that marijuana was involved, some included non-students, and other students were listed as repeat offenses. This group does not include alcohol or intoxication citations.
Mason argued TTU is not alone with battling this issue, it occurs on several college campuses throughout the country. However, her office sees a routine increase during the Fall when students return to campus.
“People are not in school for the semester or if they’re coming in as a new student, people who have past substance abuse problems, once they get to school they have in their mind that they’re just going to be able to stop,” Mason said. “What happens is they get into school and become aware that they can’t stop and then they usually seek treatment.”
Mason urged friends and family to watch the warning signs of unusual behavior in order to seek help before the issue become life-threatening.
“Substance abuse has been going on forever,” Mason said. “We live in the one percent of time when there’s been a solution.”
Anyone seeking help for substance abuse can contact Aspire Recovery Centers at 589-5911.
