“How can a campus diminish/control the plague of substance abuse?”

1. “How can a campus diminish/control the plague of substance abuse?” Presentation by Ashlyn, Steven, Roberto and Nick

2. Thesis • Develop a method to minimize and/or eliminate substance abuse on college campuses through the process of examining the history of strategies, developing a specific criteria, and implementing a solution.

3. Project Description An article published by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse regarding the drug abuse problem on college campuses described the issue as a “disturbing ambiance of hedonistic self-indulgence and an alarming public health crisis on college campuses across the nation.” Staggering statistics regarding substance abuse have been on the rise since the early 90’s. For example, binge drinking has increased 25%, cocaine and heroin increased 52%, tranquilizers like Xanax are up to 450% and even painkillers such as Oxycontin are up 343% (citation). Although the first step in the solution may lie in the home, it is inevitable that the problem must also be rendered on college campus as well. We decided for our project to focus on real-life situations of students and their addictions. Our scenarios will be focusing on how students’ addictions to drugs (prescription, illegal, etc.) affect their school life.The factor that ultimately needs to be removed from the situation is the addiction. One of the problems that comes from the students addictions,. Is that students are missing out on a lot of educational benefits. Some of these benefits include grants, loans, educational opportunities and educational advancement. In an attempt to create a solution for students addictions we came up with possible solutions.

4. Methods The initial step to resolving this issue was to create a group conflict (Appendix 1). The second step was to analyze Dewey’s Problem Solving Method and brainstorm together an effective solution (Adler and Elmhorst, 2013). Dewey’s method supplies a basic step-by-step process for groups to utilize in order to solve problems and conflicts in a seamless and efficient manner. Not only does this method incorporate opportunity to use many communication and thinking techniques but also maintains the focus of the group. The following outline is a detailed process of how we arrived at a solution to the problem. After the report is complete, participation points were awarded from each group member to the others based on the work submitted (see Appendix 3).

5. State Policy SLCC Policy  Chapter 41Section 101: This section describes what drugs are as defined by any substance recognized by the United States Pharmacopeia, the National Formulary, the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia, or other drug compendia. It also gives power to the institution/business to conduct a drug test and to hire volunteer work. Section 103-104: These sections state that a government entity or institution of higher education must write a policy and ordinance for its volunteer and employee. They must also go through a urine sample test to determine if its volunteer/employee are taking drugs themselves.  It is illegal to drive under the influence of any drug or alcohol. Minors cannot possess alcohol or tobacco and/or supply them. A-Not-Drop-Law which means if you are under 21 you cannot possess or drink alcohol while on campus. It is illegal to sell any drug or alcohol to an intoxicated person or to drink or possess an open container while you are inside campus or a vehicle. If you are under 19 you cannot have possession of tobacco. If you are over 19 you cannot smoke within 25 feet of a building according to the Clean Air Act.

6. In order to arrive at the most effective goal we collaborated on setting up a specific criteria which would serve as guidelines for each solution presented. Several of the criteria correspond to communication aspects from the textbook. While others correspond more to common successful parameters that have been implemented in other companies and school institutions. Among some of the specific criteria we decided upon we agreed it must remain anonymous, affordable, as well as comply with the general goal and mission statement of the institution. Criteria

7. Possible Solutions Health and wellness programs Incentives for participation in wellness programs Current meeting schedules/hotlines posted publicly UA testing Background checks Phone App Website Volunteers in Recovery Advertising Student fees Supplemented payments for students Ban alcohol marketing on campus Strict alcohol limits within dormitories, sporting events, common areas

8. Our final solution will incorporate the current standards and procedures of the SLCC Health and Wellness program, business sponsorship and volunteers. Final Solutions Health and wellness programs Incentives for health and wellness programs • UA testing • Meetings & hotlines

9. Incentives and Consequences • Incentives • Possible Scholarship Oppurtunities • Discounts on student store purchases or parking passes • Gift Cards • Sponsored Activities • Better Health • Consequences • Minimal or no scholarship opportunities • May suffer persecution from Utah State and SLCC substance abuse policies • More addictions • Bad Health

10. Citations Adler, R.B., and Elmhorst, J.M. (2013). Communicating at Work, (eleventh ed.). New York: McGraw –Hill. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASAColumbia). March 2007. Wasting the Best and the Brightest: Alcohol and drug abuse on college campuses. New York. Califano, Joseph A Jr. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Campus Policy. (n.d.) Retrieved from vvww.slcc.edu/hw/docs/pdf-forms/ATODCampusPolicyRev.5.3.12.pdf The Drug-free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (2013, November 2). Retrieved from http://counsel.cua.edu/fedlaw/dfsca.cfm Utah State Policy 34-41-101 (n.d) Retrieved from http://www.le.utah.gov/UtahCode/Section.jsp?code=34-41