Navigating Alcohol and Drug Use in College

It is no secret that many college students, including those at Moravian, are exposed to alcohol and/or drugs during their college years. In fact, according to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, adults between the ages of 18-25 engage in higher rates of alcohol use in general, binge drinking, (defined as 5 or more drinks for males or 4 or more drinks for females within a short period of time) and heavy alcohol use (defined as binge drinking on 5 or more days in the past 30 days) than any other age group.

Despite the prevalence of substance use and abuse in the country, we at Moravian have a lot to be proud of in our culture. So far this academic year, we have seen a 29% decrease in alcohol-related incidents and a 50% decrease in students transported to the hospital as a result of alcohol consumption over the same time last year. It’s worth noting that this is the third straight year where these numbers have been in decline.

We know that our campus culture is influenced in large part by the students being enrolled and the support and guidance they have received from family and others involved in their upbringing. Thank you for the contributions you have made to our culture of safe and responsible use of legal substances and abstention from use of illegal substances.

Although we are thrilled with the responsible choices our students make on a regular basis, we cannot be complacent when it comes to an issue that can have serious negative consequences. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a quarter of college students report that alcohol impacts their academic success as a result of missing class and falling behind academically and results in lower grades. Additionally, statistics show that each year 1,825 college students die in alcohol-related incidents, including motor-vehicle accidents.

Around one fifth of college students meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder and would benefit from some level of treatment. If you are concerned that your student may need additional assistance, you can contact the Associate Dean of Students at 610-861-1503 or meyerg@moravian.edu, reach out to our counseling center at 610-861-1510, or refer the student to one of the counseling center’s alcohol, drug & addiction services: moravian.edu/counseling/addiction-services. If students would prefer an off-campus resource, the Bethlehem Recovery Center (bethlehemrecoverycenter.org/) is a great resource within walking distance of campus.

Finally, we would be remiss in not mentioning the most recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding e-cigarettes, also known as vaping. The CDC is currently investigating the cause of a number of injuries and deaths that appear to be related to e-cigarette use. More information and specific recommendations from the CDC can be found here: cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure all students have an opportunity to be successful at Moravian. For more information about policies related to alcohol and drugs on campus, please consult the following resources:

 

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