Drugs on Campus at the Bimillennium: The Final Report of the Presidential Task Force on Substance Use Issues on Pennsylvania College and University Campuses.

N

79

Administrators; Policymakers; Practitioners

Alcohol Abuse; College Students; Colleges; Community Coordination; Drug Use; Educational Needs; Federal Legislation; Higher Education; Intervention; Medical Services; Policy Formation; Prevention; Public Policy; Student Behavior; Substance Abuse; Universities

This report addresses three aspects of the "drug problem" on Pennsylvania's college campuses: (1) education and prevention; (2) diagnosis and treatment; and (3) law enforcement. It describes a wide variety of campus responses to this challenge reflecting the enormous variety of institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. The purpose of the report is to identify model policies, practices, and procedures aimed at substance use and abuse within a productive public policy environment which enables colleges and universities in concert with communities, families, and other agencies to provide effective educational, intervention, and treatment services. Following a background review, the report presents an assessment of the problem. Among the findings is that 94 percent of the college students in 1989 reported having used alcohol, more than half (51 percent) reported having used marijuana, and some 15 percent reported having tried cocaine. Possible solutions are then explored, including the development of a coordinated primary prevention program. Finally, recommendations and conclusions are presented. Appendices (comprising over half the report) include members of the Presidential Task Force on Substance Use Issues on Pennsylvania College and University Campuses; Recommended Standards: Alcohol and Other Drug Use Misuse, and Dependency; and examples of Pennsylvania Campus Policy Statements. (GLR)

1992

ED347895