New student substance use report urges evidence-based action by college presidents and trustees

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American Council of Trustees and Alumni

Jun 11, 2019, 12:21 ET

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As colleges and universities acknowledge the connection between behavioral health and student success, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) has launched a report calling for a new level of awareness and collaborative action by college presidents and trustees to address college student alcohol and drug use.

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ACTA's report calls for a new level of awareness and collaborative action by college presidents and trustees to address student alcohol and drug use. It explores how alcohol and drug use affect student achievement, arguing that a coordinated substance use prevention strategy will make the campus a safer and healthier environment -- and help students maximize their potential.
ACTA's report calls for a new level of awareness and collaborative action by college presidents and trustees to address student alcohol and drug use. It explores how alcohol and drug use affect student achievement, arguing that a coordinated substance use prevention strategy will make the campus a safer and healthier environment -- and help students maximize their potential.
ACTA's report cites that nearly 70 percent of students who misused prescription stimulants were excessive drinkers, and 68 percent used cannabis during the past month. Students who drank heavily four or more times during a two-week period were 10 to 16 percentage points less likely to have an "A" average than those who did not drink at all.
ACTA's report cites that nearly 70 percent of students who misused prescription stimulants were excessive drinkers, and 68 percent used cannabis during the past month. Students who drank heavily four or more times during a two-week period were 10 to 16 percentage points less likely to have an "A" average than those who did not drink at all.

The new report, titled Addressing College Drinking and Drug Use: A Primer for Trustees, Administrators, and Alumni, is available via free pdf download on ACTA's website. It will be issued in printed form this month to tens of thousands of college and university trustees, presidents, and agents of higher education change across the U.S.

Jointly authored by Dr. Amelia Arria, professor and the Director of the University of Maryland School of Public Health's Center on Young Adult Health and Development, and Greta Wagley, ACTA's editor and research associate, the report emphasizes that the most effective approaches to college substance use must be tailored to the culture and particular challenges faced by each campus community.

The guide offers examples of successful programs implemented at institutions across the country, including Purdue University, Augsburg University, and California State University, to name a few. The strategies implemented at these schools are based on the extensive research findings and clinical expertise of health professionals and can be applied on many levels of the university—from the classroom to residence halls and campus health centers. Implementing broad environmental-level strategies (e.g., community building, developing and enforcing policies) is a critical component to success.

College substance use takes many forms. Higher education officials face the expanded availability of prescription drugs as well as decreases in the perceived risk of marijuana use. At the same time, the potency of marijuana has dramatically increased and concern is mounting by scientists regarding its association with cognitive impairment and mental health problems. Excessive drinking continues to be a major perennial concern: Across the U.S., more than 1,500 students die from alcohol-related consequences; and hundreds of thousands experience alcohol poisoning and/or non-fatal injuries.

The guide uniquely explores how alcohol and drug use can affect student achievement, revealing that a coordinated substance use prevention strategy will not only work to make the campus a safer and healthier environment, but also help students maximize their potential.

Dr. Arria is the co-leader of the Maryland Collaborative and has conducted federally funded research that has focused on substance use and academic achievement. "College leaders have a deep vested interest in the success of their students," she says. "They understand that removing substance use as a barrier to success is paramount. This guide will help them align their strategies with the science and strengthen campus initiatives that will improve student outcomes and save lives."

In November, the guide will set the stage for a conference in Boston, geared toward college trustees, presidents, and senior education leaders tasked with sustaining a campus culture that allows students to thrive. Details about the conference, which will be launched in collaboration with the Mary Christie Foundation and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, will be released in early July.

For more information about the report and to obtain printed copies, contact [email protected].

ACTA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability in higher education. We receive no government funding and are supported through the generosity of individuals and foundations. For more information, visit GoACTA.org, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, and subscribe to our newsletter.

CONTACT: Doug Sprei, [email protected], (202) 467-0376

SOURCE American Council of Trustees and Alumni

Related Links

http://www.goacta.org

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