Public Safety Department of Drexel

¶ … Public Safety Department of Drexel University:

Drug and alcohol addiction at school and in the workplace can have a devastating effect upon the persons suffering from these addictions, their loved ones, and also their colleagues. Despite efforts to raise awareness about their dangers, binge drinking and drug use remain tacitly accepted on many college campuses, including Drexel's. Although this may be tolerated with a shrug of 'kids will be kids,' the behaviors students engage in while young can set the tone for their behaviors later in life. There needs to be a change in the culture of college campuses, regarding the normalization of alcohol and drug abuse. This culture change must be generated from both above (the administration) and also below (the students, including fraternity houses). Given that the mission of the Public Safety Department of Drexel University is "to enrich the quality of life of our community by providing a safe and secure environment based upon effective relationships and excellence in service," the Department has a clear role in promoting wellness and discouraging the abuse of alcohol and drugs (Mission, 2013, the Public Safety Department of Drexel University).

There is increasing awareness that certain people are genetically more vulnerable to drug and alcohol addiction, which can make an environment where abuse is condoned even more dangerous (Scientists find gene link to teenage binge drinking, 2012, Reuters). Of course, abuse of alcohol or drugs can be potentially dangerous even once, given the potential for driving or having unwanted or unprotected sex while under the influence. It has been estimated that every year 1,825 college students die from injuries related to alcohol abuse and 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victimized in alcohol-related sexual assaults or date rapes (a snapshot of annual high-risk college drinking consequences, 2010, collegedrinkingprevention.gov). Even supposedly normal partying can have a devastating effect upon student's grades, particularly during freshman year when students are still easing into the rigors of college. According to recent U.S. government statistics: "about 25% of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall" (a snapshot of annual high-risk college drinking consequences, 2010, collegedrinkingprevention.gov). And on team projects in schools and in the workplace, the lost productivity of addiction can have ramifications for others, in terms of the quality of their work.

An environment where abuse is condoned can make students feel as if something is 'wrong' with them if they do not overindulge. Fraternities and other organizations which host parties need to confront their role in setting the tone for the campus and provide more alcohol-free activities. The school needs to support groups such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous (and/or other programs with proven effectiveness 'track records' working with young adult drug and alcohol dependency) on campus to help people who already have problems (Kaskutas 2009). Students need to realize they have a problem -- before it is too late. Taking steps to treat alcoholism and drug abuse amongst young people can prevent the types of escalating healthcare costs caused by abuse later on. And even young people can still suffer from the physical effects of abuse, including the loss of brain cells and damaged liver function that are often only associated with 'older' addicted adults. "Every year, more than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem" as a result of alcohol addiction (a snapshot of annual high-risk college drinking consequences, 2010, collegedrinkingprevention.gov).Having community service groups that volunteer to help addicts off-campus can encourage student volunteers to see the devastating effects of the disease first-hand.