SAINT MARTIN S UNIVERSITY. BIENNIAL REVIEW REPORT on ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAMS AND POLICIES for ACADEMIC YEAR AND ACADEMIC YEAR

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1 SAINT MARTIN S UNIVERSITY BIENNIAL REVIEW REPORT on ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROGRAMS AND POLICIES for ACADEMIC YEAR AND ACADEMIC YEAR Introduction In compliance with the requirements of the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and Drug Free Schools and Campuses Regulations, the following report outlines college policies regarding drug and alcohol use for both students and staff of Saint Martin s University. In addition to providing statistical data, it provides a summary of initiatives and programs undertaken over the last two years to address issues of substance use and abuse. Content and Distribution of Written Materials Annually, all students and employees of Saint Martin s University receive copies of our alcohol and other drug policy (see Appendix A). This summarizes Saint Martin s policy on drug and alcohol use, discusses sanctions for violations, identifies treatment and referral sources and provides information about the health risks and legal sanctions for using various drugs. Students and employees are also notified through a postcard mailout of the presence of full crime statistics, which includes information about substance abuse prevention and lists recent crime statistics (see Appendix B). Students joining the university during the second semester receive materials when they register. Alcohol and Drug Incidents Saint Martin s Director of Security provided statistics for the last two calendar years. On campus Lacey Police made one arrest for alcohol related violations in 2008 and no arrests for alcohol related violations were made in Lacey Police made nine arrests for drug related violations in 2008 and no arrests in Fifty four students were referred to sanction groups and fourteen students were referred for individual sessions following on campus policy violations (see below for more detail). There were no off campus arrests by Lacey Police of SMU students for alcohol violations or drug violations in 2008 or in 2009 for which Saint Martin s was made aware. Overview of Substance Abuse Prevention Programs and Treatments During the Past Biennium Saint Martin s University currently has the following programs and activities in place to address underage drinking and other substance abuse problems.

2 1. Saint Martin s has a Substance Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator, Dr. Jason Kilmer, who is part of the Counseling/Wellness Center. He provides assessments and feedback sessions to students and sees individual clients trying to make changes in their substance use and related behaviors. Additionally, he sees students who violate the campus drug and alcohol policy are sanctioned to attend a two session Alcohol Skills Training Program. This program was developed, implemented, and evaluated at the University of Washington while Dr. Kilmer was there as a graduate student and, later, a post doctoral research associate. This approach is described below in further detail. Finally, he conducts several prevention programs throughout the year using a motivation enhancement approach (e.g., Miller and Rollnick, 1991, 2002) and using brief intervention strategies and content (e.g., Marlatt and colleagues). Specific programs delivered by Dr. Kilmer over the past biennium include: Presentations in first year seminars and workshops on campus Multiple programs in residence halls Programs to student athletes Training of all resident advisors annually Multiple Alcohol Skills Training Programs for sanctioned students (see below) The Alcohol Skills Training Program is a non judgmental, nonconfrontational program that attempts to meet the program participant where he or she may be in terms of motivation and readiness to change. While abstinence following the program is considered the optimal outcome, the program also considers ways to reduce the risks associated with alcohol use if the person does not see abstinence as a viable option. For those who make the choice to drink, strategies for doing so in a less dangerous or less risky manner are described. Research has demonstrated that this approach succeeds in reducing drinking rates and associated negative consequences, and this approach was among those three strategies with demonstrated effectiveness in NIAAA s taskforce report, A Call to Action, released in A brief assessment is made prior to the start of the group. It is made clear to program participants that drinking under the age of 21 is illegal, drinking and driving under any circumstances is not recommended, and use of other illicit substances is also, as implied by their name, illegal. During the first session, participants in the program learn about: what constitutes a standard drink, absorption, oxidation, blood alcohol level and associated negative consequences, gender differences and alcohol, tolerance, alcohol s biphasic effect, implications for less risky drinking based on this biphasic effect, and drug interactions with alcohol. Participants learn about research on expectancies and the role that expectancies play in the social effects experienced following substance use. A self monitoring exercise is described and made available as an optional component to the program.

3 During the second session, participants debrief the monitoring exercise. Participants receive tailored blood alcohol charts based on weight and sex information provided in the initial assessment, and typical blood alcohol levels attained are estimated. Participants then discuss negative consequences experienced by college students who abuse substances, and consider ways these consequences would be reduced if the student abstained or used in a less dangerous or less risky way. Consequences discussed include: substance related accidents and death; academic problems; impact of substance use on the sleep cycle, quality of sleep, and subsequent feelings of anxiety and irritability; weight gain; acquaintance rape; transmission of STD s and/or HIV; unplanned pregnancies; short term and long term impact to health; and legal consequences. Ways to keep drinking at or below whatever limit the participants set for themselves if they make the choice to drink (either abstinence or a goal of moderation) are discussed. A discussion of other drugs of abuse wraps up the two sessions, with information provided so that students can make educated, informed decisions about their choice to use substances. The general message at the program s end is that the school is committed to seeing its students graduate and have a safe college experience. Participants are encouraged to consider what they want from college, and make the decisions that are going to be the best for them. A total of 54 students were seen in Alcohol Skills Training Program groups over the past biennium. Post intervention evaluation feedback during the academic year indicated that 81.5% of participants agreed that the information they received would cause them to think differently about their pattern of substance use; these numbers increased to 95.2% of participants during the academic year. Following policy violations, 14 individual assessments/evaluations were completed during the past biennium. 2. The campus Counseling Center screens for substance use when a student accesses the service. Once determination has been made to whether a problem exists, students are either seen in the Counseling Center or referred to a service in the community. Referrals are also made to NA, AA and other twelve step groups in the community. Referrals will also come from other providers to, in this case, Dr. Kilmer, in the event a student s presenting problem is caused or exacerbated substance use. Through this service, dual diagnosis issues can be addressed. 3. Saint Martin s University has been a member of the College Coalition of Substance Abuse Prevention, and has maintained attendance at CCSAP meetings throughout the past biennium. Meetings of the task force enable us to learn about the activities of Washington Colleges and allow our campus staff to remain in contact with other substance abuse prevention professionals. Updates from the Higher Education Center on Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention are often presented and discussed at these meetings as well.

4 APPENDIX A Saint Martin s University is committed to a safe and secure environment free of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) abuse and maintains this commitment in support of academic success, work performance, well being, and quality of life for all members of its community. It is the conviction of Saint Martin s University that the education of the mind, body, and soul are of the utmost importance. Alcohol and other drugs have been shown to adversely affect this ideal. The University is committed to substance abuse prevention, education, and assistance. Saint Martin s University provides: Information about alcohol and other drugs and the associated risks of use; appropriate intervention when alcohol and other drug use creates unwanted or unintended consequences; and, support for reducing the risk of consequences associated with alcohol and other drug abuse. Alcohol Policy Specific to On Campus Residence Housing Possession, consumption, possession by means of consumption (if under the age of 21) and the sale of alcoholic beverages, is prohibited in or around University owned or University controlled housing. Empty alcohol containers are similarly prohibited. Additionally, students found in the presence of alcohol or in violation of other Housing and University policies due to alcohol consumption constitutes a violation of this policy. Incidents are sanctioned depending on the scope and severity of the alleged violation. Reports regarding violations of this policy will be referred to the Residence Hall Director, Director of Housing and Residence Life, the Student Conduct Committee or the Dean of Student Affairs. Possible sanctions include but are not limited to: Referral to and required completion of an alcohol education program at the student s expense through the Office of Housing and Residence Life in coordination with the Counseling and Wellness Center; mandatory residence hall probation. Students who fail to comply with the sanction may be assessed a disciplinary fine and be required to attend a rescheduled class. Referral to and required completion of a substance abuse assessment and evaluation at the student s expense; mandatory follow through and completion of recommendations of the assessment and evaluation. If the student is under 21 the University will notify the parents of this violation via mail. Students who fail to comply with this sanction may be referred to the Student Conduct Committee for further disciplinary action. Referral to the Student Conduct Committee for a review of the student s status as a student at Saint Martin s University. University Policy Alcohol and Drugs All students, whether on or off campus, must adhere to state and federal law concerning alcohol use and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent

5 with University expectations. The University will not tolerate the unlawful manufacture and/or illegal purchase, consumption, possession, or distribution of alcohol to or by any student. Possession, consumption, possession by means of consumption, if under the age of 21 years, and the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in or around University owned or University controlled property. Exceptions are made if the following conditions are met for a specific event: a. Approval for the event is obtained in writing from the director of campus life or the dean of student affairs; and b. The event is not held in or near the residence halls; and c. Those consuming alcohol are 21 years old or older; and d. An appropriate liquor license is obtained from the Washington State Liquor Control Board and publicly displayed; and e. If required by the liquor license, a bartender licensed by the State of Washington serves the alcohol. State and federal laws prohibit the unlawful use, manufacture, possession, consumption, control, sale, and dispensation of any illegal narcotic or dangerous drug. These laws carry penalties for violations, including monetary fines and imprisonment. The unlawful manufacture, possession, consumption, control, sale and dispensation of illegal drugs or other controlled substance is strictly prohibited in or around University owned or controlled property. These substances my include, but are not limited to, stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine, depressants such as barbiturates or tranquilizers, cannabis such as marijuana or hashish, hallucinogens such as LSD or ecstasy, narcotics such as heroin or morphine and various inhalants. The only exception to the policy is controlled substances prescribed and used as directed by a physician. As stated in the Standards of Conduct, actions detrimental to the mission of the University and to the legitimate activities of the academic community are a violation of the code of conduct. Disorderly, lewd, indecent or any other conduct resulting from the misuse of alcohol or drugs interfering with the mission of the University or with any legitimate activities of the academic community will be subject to the disciplinary process. The University may, at its discretion, require alcohol and other drug education training for any group, club, team or living arrangement as necessary. Any student who violates the Code of Conduct as it relates to alcohol and drug use is subject to sanctions as outlined therein. These sanctions can be in addition to any penalty imposed by a court for the violation of state or federal law.

6 APPEDIX B From: Thronson, Howard P. Sent: Thursday, September 30, :56 PM To:!All Faculty;!All Instructors;!All Staff;!All Students;!Adj. Faculty Cc: Roth O.S.B., Abbot Neal; Fr. Alfred J. Hulscher O.S.B. Subject: Annual Campus Crime Statistics and Fire Safety Report For many years a federal law, known as the Clery Act, has required Saint Martin s University prepare, publish and distribute an annual security report by October 1st of each year. In the past students and staff have received a written notice advising the annual report is available in print at security and of its location on the Internet. Included with this notice was a copy of the federal Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy. Changes have occurred allowing notice to students and staff to be made electronically, which is the purpose of this . In addition, required annual notice related to the federally required Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Policy will longer be part of the annual Clery Act notices. The annual Clery Report contains Saint Martin s crime statistics for the past three years and policies for reporting incidents, timely warnings and emergency notification, access to facilities, drug and alcohol use, sexual misconduct and missing student notification, to name a few. Also, on July 1, 2010, new federal requirements went into effect regarding on-campus housing fire safety policies and fire statistics reporting. Combined with this year s Annual Security Report is the newly required Residence Hall Fire Safety Report. The complete 2010 Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report can be found on-line at If you want just the Clery Act crime statistics, they may be found at Additional information concerning campus policies, the Clery Act, emergency procedures and preparedness can be found by going to the Office of Public Safety s web page at Thank you. Howard Thronson Director, Office of Public Safety Saint Martin s University