Pubdate: Thu, 15 May 2003
Source: Daily Forty-Niner (CA Edu)
Copyright: 2003 Daily Forty-Niner
Contact:  http://www.csulb.edu/~d49er/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1391
Note: Publication of the California State University, Long Beach
Author: Yi-Fang Vicky Lin

CSULB LAUNCHES ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM

The Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs, a newly established division in
collaboration with Student Health Services on campus, will provide students
with more alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs starting summer 2003.

The services will include the Peer Education Program, which will be
presented through SOAR and University 100 classes, address and improve
student's knowledge on alcohol and drugs addiction issues. The program's aim
is also to eliminate the campus alcohol and drug problems among college
students.

"Our office is mainly a resource. We have both on-campus and off-campus
resources, students can come to get information," said Jennifer Layno,
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs office supervisor. In the future, the office
will establish individual counseling service, currently the division only
serves as a reference center for students seeking help.

"We have many brochures and pamphlets for students, and we can refer
students to local and even national counseling center for their needs,"
Layno said.

Students can also seek assistance through Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs
mandatory classes and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings from the services
provided by the office. The mandatory session is required for those who
violate the alcohol and drug policies on campus.

The University Police has been doing its part to prevent violations of
alcohol and drug abuse policies at Cal State Long Beach.

"When we are out there and see the violations, we do act on them, we will
arrest them, we will issue citations when appropriate," Stan Skipworth,
captain of University Police said.

The CSULB alcohol and drugs policies are under the Drug-Free Schools and
Communities Act and the Higher Education Act Section 120A. The regulations
prohibit the possession, use and distribution of illegal drugs and alcohol
by students, faculty members on campus or in any campus events. Legal
sanctions will be taken against violators.

According to a random survey conducted by the Student Health Services, based
on results of 2002 students' health and risk behaviors, 86 percent of CSULB
students have one to four drinks per week or not at all in the past 30 days.
Sixty percent consume two or less drink per week, while 34.5 percent of
CSULB students choose not to drink.

The figure also showed increasing violations on alcohol possessions at
campus residence halls, according to the University Police crime reports,
the number has increased from 13 to 51 liquor violation cases from 1999 to
2001. However, the violation on drugs or related substances has dropped down
from 21 to eight cases.
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MAP posted-by: Josh