Amherst College - Drug Scene

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Amherst nights—and for some, the days, too—involve respectable amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is not for everyone, and is not used all the time, but for many Amherst students, alcohol consumption is part of a weekly routine. Often time, sports teams have parties after big wins, and these parties are usually attended not only by the athletes, but other students, as well. It’s common to get the lowdown on this weekend’s parties and just go to them and drink, many times for free. Most of the time, this is due to generous seniors who pick up the tab for the poor underclassmen. When you’re a senior, you’ll probably do the same.

Pot is the other popular illegal substance, and, as is the case with alcohol, if you’re into it, there’s no problem getting it. (Even though, unlike alcohol, pot doesn’t come free.) Harder drugs are present but are far less common. It is a near consensus among students that doing hard drugs or too many "light" drugs will inevitably get in the way of academics and other activities. Perhaps here is where this ostensibly lax campus checks itself. Most students seem to be able to prioritize well: “A big paper due in two days means no partying tonight” is the common rule of thumb. It’s mostly an individual decision whether to drink or experiment with light drugs, and there is little active social pressure to do anything. Drinking, although prevalent, doesn’t determine coolness, and in fact, those students who drink frequently and heavily may be chastised by their friends after a while.

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Students Speak Out

AmhCA says: Amherst College 2016 Other

Amherst has pot and coke, just... Amherst has pot and coke, just like anywhere else, and if that's what you're into, you can find people to do it with. Drinking is much more popular than smoking, and cocaine use is somewhat rare and generally private. 12345 Drug Scene: March 04, 2009 Report

AmhSL says: Amherst College 2015 Biological and Biomedical Sciences

It depends on who you're with.... It depends on who you're with. There's a fair amount of marijuana use, but you can easily avoid it. Drinking is very prevalent. 12345 Drug Scene: February 18, 2009 Report

AmhAG says: Amherst College 2016 Other

A lot of people smoke weed. If you... A lot of people smoke weed. If you want to do other drugs, it's not that hard to find coke. You can find drugs if you look hard enough, just like at any college, but most people here just drink. 12345 Drug Scene: February 17, 2009 Report

AmhJF says: Amherst College 2016 Undecided

Like anywhere else, there are... Like anywhere else, there are potheads and there's a fringe of people doing harder drugs. But it's small. 12345 Drug Scene: February 16, 2009 Report

AmhSF says: Amherst College 2016 Psychology

I haven't been in a situation at... I haven't been in a situation at Amherst College where I have encountered drugs-excluding marijuana. However, I have heard about the drug scene here. 12345 Drug Scene: February 16, 2009 Report

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