College freshman, relishing newfound freedom away from home, are at greatest risk of alcohol-related harm during their first few weeks of school, according to an expert at Penn State's Prevention Research Center.

"We see a spike then because anxiety is high, and the rigors of coursework haven't yet taken hold," Michael Cleveland told the Orlando Sentinel.

 New college students often are not aware that excessive drinking can lead to fatal alcohol poisoning, as well as accidents, assault, date rape, violence and academic failure, the article notes.

Emergency room doctors are learning the signs of designer drug use in teens and young adults as the substances continue to grow in popularity, The Miami Herald reports.

Signs that someone has been using "bath salts," or synthetic marijuana, known as "K2" or "Spice," include a glassy look, or psychotic behavior, such as acting as if they are seeing things or hearing voices, according to Dr. Peter Antevy, an emergency room doctor at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida.

 "These don't show up on any drug tests, unfortunately," Antevy told the newspaper. "And kids don't like to admit they've taken them, especially if they're in front of their parents. The only way I know is by asking, simply, 'Are you on K2? Are you taking Spice?' They'll look at me and say, 'Yes.'?"