Safety, Drinking and Drug Issues on Campus

 As one of my returning students once said to a group of seniors during a Senior Transition Day program, “Since you live at college 24 hours a day, a lot of learning goes on outside of the classroom.”  The college campus is a reflection of society--the same values and issues that are operating in the “real world” are represented in the daily life of a college campus.

Campus Security

Colleges feel strongly about the safety of their students and as a result, many campuses have instituted several levels of prevention and systems of intervention for campus security.  The physical measures that have been put in place on most campuses include electronic entry-card systems, escort services, telephones that are well marked and accessible throughout the campus, adequate illumination and frequent patrols by security staff members.

The educational programs that have become part of many freshman orientations are among the most effective intervention methods.  A typical program will have the Department of Student Affairs conduct several consciousness-raising sessions to create an awareness of the issue of safety on campus.  These programs are presented during large group presentations, but then staff members and RA’s take their message into the dorms.  Late-night dorm talks about coed relations and crime and safety information lend legitimacy to their presentations.  Because many of these staff members are also the ones who do counseling intervention when something does go wrong on campus, they are very motivated to get their message across--loud and clear.

Drinking and Drugs

What about drinking and drugs?  As I said above, college is a reflection of society.  Unfortunately, you probably know some students now who do drugs and abuse alcohol.  When you get to college, you will have to make the same kinds of decisions you made at some point in high school about where you stand.  The difference is that you will be in a new environment meeting everyone for the first time--and living with them. 

Life is all about choices--other people’s choices and yours.  It will take some energy and thought, conversation and reflection to establish your comfort zone at college.  You will be able to work it out, though, especially if your values are clear and you have your priorities straight.  Be prepared, however, that these adjustments will demand your attention and place a strain on your energy. 

Colleges and universities have realized the extent to which “drinking and drugging the weekend away” has become a problem to the students who do it and to their classmates who have to put up with the aftermath.  Schools have begun to make major changes in their attitude and regulation of student drinking.  Fraternities are not as welcome on campus as they used to be.  Rushing has dropped off on some campuses, and on others, administrations have suspended and even closed down some Greek houses.  Bars have been restricted to seniors only and in many cases replaced by coffeehouses.  Tobacco, alcohol and substance-free dorms are available on most campuses, and colleges pay more attention to the social events on their campuses.  Remember:  Drugs are against the law.  If you are caught with a controlled substance on campus, you can be suspended, expelled, or turned over to the law for prosecution.

Without getting into a litany of “dangerous drugs on campus,” I would just like to mention one drug that you may not have run into at the high school level -- Adderall.  Adderall is the brand name for an Amphetamine which is a strong psycho stimulant medication that should be used only under prescription. College students are involved in many activities, from part time jobs, heavy course loads and partying, and not finding enough time to study. To maintain a good performance many college students are in a precarious position and as a result try out different "tricks" to pull all-nighters. Known as the "smart drug" or "study buddy", the result of Adderall use is that they can study for days with a few hours of sleep. It makes the heart pound, blood rush and can provide a feeling of euphoria. The drug is classified as Schedule II meaning its abuse can lead to severe psychological and physical dependence.  Colleges have recognized the “fall-out” of drugs like this on their campuses and some like Duke University, has added "the unauthorized use of prescription medication" to the long list of activities that fall under the umbrella of academic dishonesty."

 What have been the results of these changes?  There are still places to go to drink or get drugs, and there always will be if that is the choice you want to make.  But now colleges and universities are making special efforts to provide other interesting and exciting options to choose from.  The choice is yours.