91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ

Eliot Circular

Preventing Drug Abuse

As part of its mission to care for its students and provide an outstanding academic experience, 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ is constantly seeking ways to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug abuse. At the invitation of Dean Mike Brody, an expert panel visited 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ in April to take a look at the college’s practices and make recommendations.

The panelists included Beth DeRicco, director of wellness and prevention services at the University of Connecticut; Jason Kilmer, assistant director of health and wellness for alcohol and other drug education at the University of Washington; Mary Larimer, professor of psychiatry at the Center for the Study of Health and Risk Behaviors at the University of Washington; Melissa Lewis, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington; and Linda Major, assistant to the vice chancellor at the University of Nebraska.

Following the tragic drug-related deaths of two students since 2008, 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ has stepped up its efforts in education, prevention, and enforcement, with a particular focus on stress management, which research shows to have strong preventive benefits. (See our article Finding Balance). Specific initiatives include:

• Mandatory sessions on alcohol and drugs during O-week, followed by presentations through the year led by peers, staff, and outside experts.

• A wellness coordinator who leads a peer health advocacy program and coordinates health promotion resources.

• A “wellness website,” including online tools designed to help students assess their drinking and marijuana use.

• An improved health and counseling center with more clinicians, a wider range of services, a stress reduction room, acupuncture, and naturopathy.

• Thoughtful and consistent enforcement of 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ’s AOD policy.

For more about stress management at 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ, see “Finding Balance” in 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ December 2010. For more about AOD policy, see www.reed.edu/academic/gbook/comm_pol/drug_policy.html