ERIC ED347895: Drugs on Campus at the Bimillennium: The Final Report of the Presidential Task Force on Substance Use Issues on Pennsylvania College and University Campuses.

79 Pages·1.8 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 347 895
riE 025 658
Drugs on Campus at the Bimillennium: The Final Report
TITLE
of the Presidential Task Force on Substance Use
Issues on Pennsylvania College and University
Campuses.
Colorado State Univ., Ft. Collins. Dept. of Technical
INSTITUTION
Journalism.; Pennsylvania State Dept. of Health,
Harrisburg.
Jan 92
PUB DATE
NOTE
79p.
Reports - General (140)
PUB TYPE
MF01/PC04 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
*Alcohol Abuse; Colleges; *College Students;
DESCRIPTORS
Community Coordination; *Drug Use; Educational Needs;
Federal Legislation; Higher Education; Intervention;
Medical Services; Policy Formation; *Prevention;
Public Policy; Student Behavior; *Substance Abuse;
Universities
*Pennsylvania
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This report addresses three aspects of the "drug
(1) education and
problem" on Pennsylvania's college campuses:
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 develdpment 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 Collec4e and University Campuses; Recommended Standards:
Alcohol and Other Drug Use Misuse, and Dependency; and examples of
Pennsylvania Campus Policy Statements. (GLR)
***********************************************************************
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the or:ginal document.
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PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES KID UNIVERSITIES
[phone]
HARRISBURG, PA 17102
800 NORTH THIRD STREET
Pennsylvania College and Univer-
The following members of the Presidential Task Force on Substance Use Issues on
on
Campus At Tbe Bimillen-
Drugs
sity Campuses participated in the development and writing of the final report,
by the Executive Committee of the
and endorse its recommendations. The report has also been endorsed
Ilium,
Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities.
DR. DAVID E. McFARLAND
THE HONORABLE CHAKA FATTAH
N. AEBERSOLD
DR. ROBERT
President, Kutztown University of
PennSylvania State Senator
President, Slippery Rock University of
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
DR. PETER H. GARLAND
DR. CARMEN G. NEUBERGER
Acting Commissioner for Postsecondary and
DR. HARRY AUSPRICH'
Dean of Educational Services and E.uclent
Higher Education
President, Bloomsburg University of
Affairs
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania
Dickinson Colkge
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
DR. WILLIAM P. GARVEY'
DR. ROBERT L. BARTHLOW
SISTER MARY REAP, I.H.M.
President, Mercyhurst College
President, Lehigh County Community College
President, Marywood College
Erie, Pcmisylvania
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania
Scranton, Pennsylvania
DR. JAMES E. GILBERT'
DR. DOROTHY G. BLANEY'
KEVIN D. SIDDONS, M.Ed., C.A.C., C.P.S.,
of
President, EaSt Stroudsburg University
President, Cedar C est College
C.H.E.S
Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Adolescent Program Coordinator
EaSt Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center
GENE R. BOYLE
Allentown, Pennsylvania
DONALD J. GILL, M.D.
Director, BUreall of Program Services
Pennsylvania Hospital
Pennsylvania Department of Health
DR. GARY A. SOJKA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
President, Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
DR. SHELDON HACKNEY
ROBERT). BRUCE'
President, University of Pennsylvania
President, Widener University
DR. DANIEL F. SULLIVAN'
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Chester, Pennsylvan;a
President, Allegheny College
Meadville, Pennsylvania
COLEEN A. HEIM
DR. JOSEPH A. CAPUTO'
Drug & Alcohol Education Specialist
President, Millersville Universit!, of
THE HONORABLE ELINOR Z. TAYLOR
Bureau of Community and Student Services
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Representative
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Chester, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
ROBERT J. CHAPMAN
DR, JOAB THOMAS'
PAUL B. HENRY
Drug and A/cohol Program Coordinator
President, Pennsylvania State University
Managing Director
La Salle University
University Park, Pennsylvania
Keystone Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Chester, Pennsylvania
ROBERT S. THOMAS, MA
THE HONORABLE NICHOLAS P. COLAFELLA
Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug
PETER J. LIACOURAS'
Pennsylvania State Representative
Problems
President, ibmple University
Monaca, Pennsylvania
Bucknell University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
SISTER CATARIN P. CONJAR, I.H.M.
DR. PETER LIKINS
Vice President for Student Affairs
RICHTER L. VOIGHT
Chairman, Presidential Task Force On
Immaculata College
Director of Administrative Services
Substance Use Issues On Pennsylvania
Immaculata, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and
College and University Campuses
Universities
President, Lehigh University
DR. RICHARD D. DeCOSMO
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Chairman, Pennsylvania Association of
Colleges and Universities
GARY B. YOUNG
DENNIS MARION
President, Delaware County Community
President, Pennsylvania Association of
Executive Director
College
Colleges 2nd Universities
The Cumberland-Perry Drug & Alcohol
Media, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Commission
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
DR. GUST ZOGAS'
President, Reading Area Community College
DR. JAMES H. McCORMICK
Reading, Pennsylvania
Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of
Higher Education
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
of Colleges and Universities
°Indicates a Member of the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Association
VINimmP
I.
f .1
DRUGS ON CAMPUS
AT THE
BIMILLENNIUM
The Final Report
of the
Presidential Task Force
On Substance Use Issues
On Pennsylvania
College and University Campuses
A Special Task Force of the
Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities
in cooperation with the
Pennsylvania Department of Health
January, 1992
£1
-.ABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1
Introduction
I.
4
Background
II.
5
III. Assessing The Problem
7
IV. Exploring Solutions
9
Recommendations and Conclusions
V.
2 1
APPENDICES
Presidential Task Force Members and Participants
27
A.
Single County Authority Directors (Pennsylvania)
B.
31
Pennsylvania Regional Network of Colleges and Universities Committed
C.
to the Elimination of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
35
Standards of the American Council on Education and the American
D.
College Health Association, Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and
Other Substance Abuse Issues
41
Examples of Pennsylvania Campus Policy Statements
45
E.
Examples of Campus Programs
55
F.
Wine Institute Code of Advertising Standards and The Century Council's
G.
Code of Responsible Marketing and Advertising Practice5
65
Style Sheet on Alcohol and Other Drug Terminology
H.
71
Survey Instruments
I.
73
J.
References
75
Information Sources
77
K.
111
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
MNENI.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Problem
other drug, by a very wide margin. Alcohol is an
underlying influence in most acts of vandalism
Drugs on campus are not a new phenomenon,
and violence (including rape) on college cam-
but societal attitudes toward this problem are
puses, and the incipient cause of most traffic fa-
changing, and we approach the year 2000 with a
talities and other fatal ;.,:cidents for college age
different set of expectations than we have held
youth. Moreover, the disease of alcoholism man-
previously.
ifests itself in the early stages for a distressing
It is often difficult to distinguish between the
number of college students, and many others
fluctuations of public opinion and the more fun-
recognize their alcoholism only after graduation,
damental evolutions of public judgment, but it
Whatever the statistics for the U.S. population
does appear from the 1991 perspective that the
(variously estimated one in ten or one in twenty
standards of American society are evolving secu-
drinkers become alcoholics), it is reasonable to
larly toward greater appreciation of human
assume that college populations are not signifi-
health and healthy lifestyles. The Presidential
cant exceptions. The toll taken by alcohol on
Task Force On Substance Use Issues On Penn-
college campuses, both now and in the past, is
sylvania College And University Campuses ac-
overwhelming. The diallenge is to reduce that
cep ts this premise and approaches its
toll significantly by the year 2000.
responsibilities in the context of this trend to-
The diminishing use of nicotine on college
ward a healthier society. We reject the notion
campuses offers encouragement for those seek-
that there exists a drug crisis to be resolved only
ing reductions in the use of alcohol and other
in the short term. We seek permanent change in
drugs. There are significant differences, how-
the patterns of use and abuse of drugs on cam-
ever, that make the reduction of alcohol use a
pus.
greater challenge. Most people now understand
It is foolish to pretend that campus attitudes
that nicotine is an extremely addictive drug. Al-
can be differentiated from societal attitudes in
cohol, in contrast, apparently can be used in
any fundamental and enduring way, whatever
moderation without addiction by most Ameri-
the subject may be. A college campus is an un-
cans, so most teenagers can reasonably expect
usually heterogeneous, highly mobile (even tran-
to be spared that affliction. (For certain sub-pop-
sient) community; it cannot be isolated from the
ulations with genetic predispositions to addic-
swirl of events and the shifting values in its envi-
tion, the odds may shift significantly, but the
ronment. The Presidential Task Force therefore
conclusions of medical researci-, have not yet be-
understands that its role is to encourage our
come definitive.) Addiction quickly becomes the
campuses to operate at the forefront of healthy
only reason why most smokers continue to use
change within the societal context.
tobacco, but more than a hundred million Amer-
Probably the most important development in
icans use alcohol merely because they condnue
the continuing struggle to solve "the drug prob-
to enjoy it. Although more than ten million
lem" is the growing realization that we must
Americans are now suffering from alcoholism,
deal with the full spectrum of dangerous, and
the undeterred majority will not easily be per-
potentially addictive, mind-altering drugs, in-
suaded to stop using alcohol, and prohibition by
cluding nicotine and alcohol as well as such il-
law is demonstrably unworkable.
licit drugs as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and the
In recognizing alcohol as the most damaging
many stimulants and depressants that are self-ad-
drug on college campuses, the Presidential Task
ministercd for the sensory experience.
Force does not wish to obscure the dangers of
Alcohol is the most widely used "drug of
other mind-altering substances used by college
choice" on college campuses today, as it has al-
students. Many of these drugs present special
ways been, and we cannot solve the drug prob-
challenges because they are illegal, expensive,
lem until we solve the alcohol problem. Alcohol
does more damage to college students than any
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
and more highly addictive than alcohol. Addicts
would be a serious mistake for the state to man-
date, for example, the same response from a
attract dangerous crimi
Its and may themselves
become dealers to surport their addiction,
Catholic women's college with 300 students in
thereby spreading the disease and its related
the suburbs and a coeducational university with
problems.
30,000 students in a major city. However, it is
reasonable to expect that every Pennsylvania
college or university make the following com-
The Solution
mitments;
In the Final Report of the Presidential Task
To develop on the campus a clear institu-
Force On Substance Use Issues On Pennsyl-
tional p3licy relating to the use and abuse
vania College And University Campuses, re-
of alcohol and other drugs by any member
sponses to the "drug problem" are broken
of the campus community and to reaffirm
down into three elements:
such policies periodically. This policy
Education and Prevention
should be disseminated from the highest
Diagnosis and Treatment
levels.
Law Enforcement
To provide all stuclmts with an effective ed-
ucation concerning the health and safety
Prior to the passage of Pennsylvania's Act 31
implications of drug use and the associated
in 1988, Pennsylvania campus officials were
legal restrictions. (Such educational pro-
concentrating on issues of health and safety of
gramming may be curricular or extra-curric-
the general student body; the emphasis was on
ular, and preferably both.)
education and prevention of problems relating
To establish procedures designed to mea-
to alcohol and other drugs. Law enforcement
sure progress in the campaign for reduction
problems relating to illicit drugs were for the
of the use and abuse of alcohol and other
most part referred to the !ocal criminal authori-
drugs on campus.
ties, and enforcement on campus of age limits
for the use of alcohol was often given less im-
To establish effective working rdationships
portance by both local police and campus au-
with representatives of various off-campus
thorities.
treatment modalities and to implement
After passage of Act 31, campus officials had
complementary campus programs for the
to accept new responsibilities in law enforce-
identification, intervention and treatment
ment. At the same time, stimulated by develop-
of people with substance abuse problems.
ments in the larger society, campus communities
Campus health insurance programs should
greatly expanded their efforts to identify stu-
be designed to facilitate treatment for ad-
dents with substance abuse problems, and either
diction.
to provide treatment on-campus or to refer to
To establish and maintain effective working
off-campus treatment centers. In a related move-
relationships with local law enforcement
ment, following corporate leadership in Amer-
authorities, with a common understanding
ica, many colleges and universities began
of the distribution of enforcement responsi-
providing new counseling and referral iervices
bilities.
to employees with substance abuse problems.
To forego sponsorship or advertising for
The result is a very significant increase in cam-
campus events or campus publications ad-
pus activity relating to the use and abuse of alco-
vocating use of alcohol or nicotine prod-
hol and other drugs, stimulated not by a
ucts. In particular, colleges and universities
growing problem, but by a growing sensitivity
must not contribute to the commonly pro-
to a continuing problem.
jected association of athletics and alcohol.
In its Final Report, the Presidential Task
Force describes a wide variety of campus re-
To reserve "smoke free" areas on campus
(or even to promote a "smoke free cam-
sponses to the challenge presented here, reflect-
ing the enormous variety of institutions of
pus") in order to diminish health hazards
higher education in the Commonwealth. It
and to accelerate current trends showing
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
IM1111111W
the reduction of dependence on nicotine in
Increase state support for prevention and
treatment of alcoholism and related re-
the college population.
To take a leadership position in broader
search, relying significantly upon increases
community initiatives related to alcohol
in taxes on beer (which is undertaxed in
and other drugs. Such leadership is most ef-
Pennsylvania in relation to other states).
fective when it comes from the highest offi-
Enact "Good Samaritan" legislation that
cers of the college or university.
will enable college officers to assist mem-
bers of our communities who are in trouble
Many more detailed recommendations for
wi'hout being charged with violations of
campus initiatives may be found in the body of
Act 31 or being sued for negligence or
the report.
wrongful injury.
The Presidential Msk Force has concentrated
its energies on the work that must be done on
Integrate alternative programming for viola-
our campuses, but we are acutely conscious of
tors for Act 31, requiring drivers' license
our limitations as educators addressing problems
suspension as incentive for compliance.
of the total society We are eager partners in the
a Ban the retail sale of pure grain alcohol.
societal coalition required to solve these prob-
To our representatives in the federal govern-
lems, but we cannot do the job alone.
ment, we would note the above and add the
The problems of concern on our campuses
following advice:
cannot be solved unless the alcoholic beverage
Alcoholic beverage advertising should in-
industries alter their public behavior, either vol-
clude warnings such as those currently re-
untarily or under the constraints of law. As evi-
quired on alcoholic beverage labels.
denced by the Code of Advertising Standards
adopted by the Wine Institute and most effec-
Alcoholic beverage advertising on radio
tively practiced in application to ,:ines (See Ap-
and television should be either regulated
pendix G), it is possible for an element of the
for conformity with approved standards
alcoholic beverage industries to voluntarily
adopted by the alcoholic beverage indus-
forego advertising that encourages abuse and il-
tries or prohibited by law as is currently
legal use by underage consumers. In sharp con-
done for tobacco products.
trast; the advertisers of beer and wine coolers
In offering these recommendations to our col-
exacerbate the problems of illegal alcohol use
leagues in government, we acknowledge the po-
and abuse by underage drinkers and by college
litical impediments to their implementation. Our
students specifically. The policies and programs
tasks are not easy either. Somehow we must all
of the Century Council (see Appendix G) are
find th.. courage to commit io an act of will, and
also to be commended. Unless industry behav-
recognize that the seriousness of the drug prob-
it should be restricted
ior changes voluntarily,
lem in America warrants a measure of sacrifice
by law.
for its solution.
If we could call upon our representatives in
We are making good progress on the Pennsyl-
state government for assistance, we would
vania college and university carnpmes, but we
make in response to our charge from the Select
must accelerate the pace if we are to enter the
Committee of the General Assembly the follow-
next century at the birnillennium with an en-
ing requests:
lightened set of attitudes about the dangers in-
Face the reality that we live with on our
herent in the use of drugs.
campuses every day: Alcohol does far more
damage in America than any other drug.
3
INTRODUCTION
I. Introduction
is paramount is a valued goal of any college or
Use and abuse of alcohol and other controlled
university. But traditions which may inadver-
substances and their deleterious effects on col-
tently support the exploration of alcohol and
lege and university campuses are not new phe-
nomena. Indeed, the negative effects of
rethought and re-
drug use must be examined
substance use on society in general have been
directed.
Recent public policy actions have sought to
known for some time. However, growing con-
provide direction in the handling of alcohol and
cerns about use and abuse of alcohol and other
drug use problems. Similarly, institutions have
and colleges and
drugs are leading society
instituted comprehensive poli-
taken action
to develop
universities as social institutions
to
cies and developed educational programs
comprehensive efforts to address the myriad
address problems caused by the use of alcohol
problems rooted in substance use and abuse.
the
and other drugs. Integrating these efforts
As agents of society, institutions of higher ed-
former aimed at enforcement and the lauer foc-
ucation find themselves in the difficult rote of
using on education and assessment
has
forging complementary efforts in drug educa-
proved challenging to colleges and universities.
tion, treatment and enforcement. Certainly, cam-
Helping institutions of higher education and the
pus leaders recognize the serious problems
Commonwealth in general to address this chal-
caused by alco-
for the individual and society
lenge became a specific goal of the Presidential
hol and other drug use: damage to person and
Task Force On Substance Use Issues On Penn-
property, date rape, reduced student achieve-
sylvania College And University Campuses.
ment, and dysfunctional relationships to name a
The purpose of this report then is:
few. Equally, campus leaders are aware that
students arrive on the
To identify model policies, prac-
too many
many
campus with incipient or well-established pat-
tices and procedures aimed at sub-
terns of alcohol abuse and illegal drug use.
stance use and abuse within a
This is not to say that colleges and universities
productive public policy environ-
may not unwittingly contribute to problems of
ment which enables colleges and
substance use. The campuses on which students
universities in concert with com-
arrive provide fertile territory in which students
munities, families, and other agen-
(and faculty, administrators and staff) are able to
effective
provide
cies
to
explore their values, attitudes, and behaviors to-
educational, intervention and treat-
ward substance use. An environment in which
ment services.
the exploration of ideas, values and attitudes
4
BACKGROUND
II. Background
In preparing for the establishment of the Pres-
In 1987, the Pennsylvania House of Repre-
idential Task Force, discussions were 'held
sentatives established the Select Committee to
by the
among the various groups identified
Investigate Alcohol Abuse in Pennsylvania Insti-
House Select Committee. It was agreed .by these
tutions of Higher Education. The Committee
organizing groups that other "substances" in ad-
members were appointed by the Speaker of the
dition to alcohol were part of the overall prob-
House of Representatives and charged with the
lem on our campuses and should therefore be
following task:
added to the Presidential Task Force's study.
"To 'investigate the extent of alco-
On April 26, 1989, the Pennsylvania Depart-
hol abuse by Commonwealth col-
Alcohol Pro-
ment of Health, Office of Drug and
lege and university students, both
of
grams, the Pennsylvania Department
including the
on and off campus,
Education, Office of Higher Education, and the
extent to which underage drinking
Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Uni-
and the lack of enforcement of
versities sponsored a conference, Response to
both institution drinking rules and
Substance Use Issues In Higher Education: New
the laws of this Commonwealth
Laws, Administrative Responses, and Future
Directions. Some 125 college and university
contribute to the problem."
presidents, administrators and staff participated
The Select Committee conducted public hear-
in the conference:
ings over a six month period from July, 1987
Subsequent to the conference, the Pennsyl-
through January, 1988 for the purpose of accu-
vania Secretary of Health asked the Pennsylvania
mulating knowledge from a broad cross section
Association of Colleges and Universities to un-
of public and private agencies. The Committee
dertake a study of campus substance abuse- as
arrived at the following conclusions:
recommended in the Final Report of the Penn-
Many college students exhibit serious
sylvania House of Representatives' Select Com-
mittee To Investigate Alcohol Abuse In
drinking problems.
Pennsylvania Institutions of Higher Education.
Colleges have no clear guidelines concern-
At the time, the Secretary expressed the follow-
ing their liability in alcohol related inci-
ing "concerns":
dents.
Does a comprehensive sub3tance abuse pol-
There is a need and a willingness for col-
icy exist in published form on the campus?
leges to establish cooperative efforts with
other agencies aimed at education, inter-
Are the roles of all staff members (police,
vention and treatment regarding alcohol
administrators, residence hall student staff,
and other drug related problems.
etc.) clearly defined regarding violations of
Colleges alone are not responsible for the
both University policy and State law?
drinking problem on their campuses. The
Does a comprehensive substance abuse
problem must be addressed by commun-
awareness/education program for profes-
ities and families in concert with colleges.
sional and para-professkmal staff members
exist?
Further, the Select Committee recommended
the establishment of a short term task
force
the
I Do treatment resources exist on or near
made up of health, education, and higher educa-
campus?
tion staff representatives to explore policy
Is the effectiveness of campus policies, sys-
of
guidelines and procedures for institutions
tematically monitored?
higher education and to make recommenda-
tions.
moron..
5