Alcohol and Drug Use

Students who use alcohol and/or other drugs do so for many reasons, including: a means of relaxing and socializing, a way of expressing independence from authority, or an attempt to escape from personal problems.

Of course, many students choose not to experiment with alcohol or drugs for personal reasons. They may fear the legal consequences or the possible accident and health hazards. Perhaps it violates their personal values, or they have personal experience that led them to reject alcohol and drugs altogether. Among both users and abstainers, there is frequently a tolerant attitude toward those who act differently from themselves.

Drug users are present in any University community just as they are in the rest of society. We can be reasonably certain that each year significant numbers of students come to the University having experimented with alcohol, marijuana, and other chemical substances. As a community, the University is especially concerned with drug and alcohol use which leads to harmful consequences to self or others. The Associate Dean of Richmond College coordinates efforts to prevent and address substance abuse problems (see Chemical Health for additional information). He works closely with Counseling and Psychological Services, the University Police, and Residence Life staff of both Richmond and Westhampton Colleges.

Every year the Vice President of Student Affairs sends all students a copy of the university policy on the use of alcohol by individual students and groups. In addition, an educational, “risk-reduction” workshop, “URAware,” is required of all students to guide in making decisions about their use of alcohol. The course focuses on the differing biological risk of each individual, combined with patterns of how much and how often a person drinks alcohol, to estimate the likelihood of immediate and long-term problems. Students will hopefully make behavior choices based on this assessment and their personal values. This educational approach has significant research evidence to support its effectiveness in reducing per capita drinking on college campuses. It does not guarantee outcomes for individual students, of course.

There is no guarantee that you and your student will see eye-to-eye on this topic, but mutual respect is a sound beginning. Parents who recognize that the problems associated with alcohol use have complex causes can better avoid the pitfalls that occur from confrontations on this issue. If you have concerns about these matters, go ahead and share them, but in a manner that conveys your earnest desire to understand your student’s world and the challenges he or she faces.

See Alcohol/Drug Links for additional national resources and information.

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