Views From the Field

As the Drug Director for the state of Arkansas, I have the responsibility of overseeing all state-funded substance prevention, substance treatment, and substance recovery activities and programs; advising the governor’s office on drug and alcohol policy issues; overseeing the (fiscal) funding of 19 drug task force units in Arkansas; and overseeing the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council.

Decades of research have examined the effectiveness of in-person prevention efforts to address substance misuse among college students. 

Richard Lucey, Jr., Senior Prevention Program Manager in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section

Alcohol. Marijuana. Opioids. Vaping. It is not a secret that misuse of these substances and others is a very real, and in some cases, a growing threat on college campuses nationwide.

Though institutions of higher education who accept federal funds must remain compliant with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act—meaning that use and/or possession of cannabis, in any form, or possession of any paraphernalia, will not be tolerated on campus—state retail cannabis laws and regulations are continuing to change.

Within the broad scope of the public health approach, there are many arenas in which trained peer educators can serve as allies to assist in our drug misuse prevention and intervention efforts.

As an educator, counselor, and dedicated wellness professional within institutions of higher education, it’s important that I understand the generational zeitgeist of my young adult students.

Substance misuse and violence are both key concerns in campus communities. But what about the overlap of these issues?

One of the greatest challenges as a prevention professional in higher education is developing messages and education that will resonate with students. Jargon gets in the way, communication channels are a guessing game (and seem to change by the day), and what to say to a Generation Z student is always difficult. Essentially, how will our message be relevant to our students?

College and university presidents and trustees, as leaders of their institutions, have the power to send a powerful message that their schools are committed to student safety, well-being, and academic success.