Prevention Strategies: Alcohol and Drug-Use Prevention and Treatment
What Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention?
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug prevention at the Wellness Center uses several approaches to address drug and alcohol misuse. In conjunction with the Lehman Prevention Collaborative we work to provide the Lehman Community:
- Student Assistance. We ensure that students obtain accurate information about responsible alcohol and drug use through education and social norms marketing. We also assist students with building skills to reduce high-risk alcohol and drug use.
- Assessment and Evaluation. Assessment and evaluation help us define the problem and determine how successful current approaches are at decreasing alcohol and drug abuse.
- Policy Review. Policy review ensures that Lehman College has clear and appropriate guidelines for alcohol use on campus that are widely disseminated and consistently enforced.
- Environmental Management. Through our campus and community alliance, we are able to engage numerous organizations in creating a campus environment that promotes responsible drug and alcohol use
Programs and services:
Lehman Prevention Collaborative:
In 2017, CUNY Lehman College received a grant from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to address the growing issues of alcohol and substance abuse among college aged youth in college campus communities in New York State. OASAS is the single State agency that is responsible for planning, developing, and regulating one of the largest addiction service systems in the US. This includes prevention, treatment and recovery services.
Research has shown that alcohol is still one of the most widely abused drug on college campuses with more than 80 percent of students reporting alcohol use and almost half reporting binge drinking in the past 2 weeks. Students who binge drink are more likely to experience negative, and even potentially life-threatening consequences, than those who do not. These include poorer academic performance, accidents that cause serious injury, assaults and illegal activities such as drunk driving and vandalism.
Prescription drug misuse, a precursor to opioid misuse and abuse, is also an issue on college campuses. Research has shown that among people 18-22 years old, full time college students are twice as likely to use a stimulant for nonmedical reasons compared to those who are not in college or those who are part-time students.
The Lehman Prevention Collaborative, a multidisciplinary coalition comprised of staff, faculty, students and community members, was developed in 2018 to address alcohol and other drug use within our community. The Lehman Prevention Collaborative works to prevent and reduce underage alcohol use, substance abuse as well as prescription drug misuse by Lehman College students by leveraging the collective resources of our partners to positively affect the health outcomes of our student population and community.
To accomplish these goals the coalition will utilize SAMHSA’s Strategic Planning Framework to:
- Review the college’s Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) policies and recommend changes.
- Recommend various environmental and social strategies to address AOD issues within the community.
- Engage in various capacity building activities to strengthen the coalition as a whole.
For more information or to join the Lehman Prevention Collaborative, please contact Ashmini Hiralall, College Prevention Coordinator, at ashmini.hiralall@lehman.cuny.edu.
Alcohol and Other Drug Education
Our workshops work to reduce the harmful consequences of alcohol and other drug use, in order to support students in achieving their personal and academic goals. We provide opportunities for education and discussion around important alcohol and drug issues.
Workshops:
Blunt Talk
Join us for a blunt talk on cannabis use. Our workshop will help you understand the science behind THC and the consequences of Cannabis use. Blunt Talk is held every semester. Check out our Workshop and Groups page to find out more info.
Thirsty Thursdays
Thirsty Thursday workshops will give you the tools you need to party safer and develop healthy drinking habits. These workshops are fun, interactive and designed to help you bust common myths about drinking. Workshops will be held on every Third Thursday from 1:30-2:30pm.
Alcohol and Other Drug Screenings:
Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO
Want feedback on your use of alcohol?
Complete the Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO and see where you stand!
What is Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO?
The Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO is an interactive web program that allows college and university students to enter information about their drinking patterns and receive immediate, personalized feedback about their use of alcohol. It takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, is self-guided, and requires no face-to-face contact time with a counselor.
What does it do?
When you access the Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO, you are prompted to enter information about yourself, such as drinking habits, etc.
After all information has been entered, the Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO calculates a number of variables and compares your responses to national and local college norms. Then, your personalized feedback is displayed in an easy-to-read format.
What do I need to use the Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO?
You need:
- A computer
- Internet access
- A JavaScript enabled Internet Browser
- About 20-30 minutes
- A printer (if you would like to print the feedback)
Take the Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO now! (Requires JavaScript. Will open in a new Window.)
Cannabis eCHECKUP TO GO
Want feedback on your cannabis use?
Complete the Cannabis eCHECKUP TO GO and see where you stand!
What is the Cannabis eCHECKUP TO GO?
The Cannabis e-CHECKUP TO GO is an anonymous, cannabis-specific brief feedback tool designed to help college students take a look at their cannabis use. The program takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, is self-guided, and requires no face-to-face contact time with a counselor.
What does it do?
When you access the Cannabis e-CHECKUP TO GO, you will be prompted to enter information about yourself, such as your use of cannabi, spending patterns, and other things. After all information has been entered, the Cannabis e-CHECKUP TO GO calculates a number of variables and compares your responses to national and local college norms. Then, your personalized feedback is displayed in an easy-to-read format.
What does one need to use the Marijuana eCHECKUP TO GO
- A computer
- Internet access
- A standards-compliant Internet Browser with JavaScript activated
- 20-25 minutes to complete the survey
- A printer (if you would like to print the feedback)
Take the Cannabis eCHECKUP TO GO now! (Requires JavaScript. Will open in a new Window.)
City University of New York Drug and Alcohol Policy:
As outlined by the City University of New York Policy on Drugs and Alcohol, the City University of New York does not tolerate the unlawful use and/or abuse of alcohol or other drugs on campus.
The City University of New York's (“CUNY’s”) Drug/Alcohol Use Amnesty Policy has two principal purposes. First, it is intended to encourage students to seek medical assistance related to drug and/or alcohol use without fear of being disciplined for such use. Because the use of drugs or alcohol may be life-threatening, CUNY wishes to reduce barriers to seeking and receiving medical help in those situations. Second, CUNY wishes to encourage students under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol who may be the victims of, witnesses to, or otherwise become aware of violence (including but not limited to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault) or sexual harassment or gender-based harassment to report that violence or harassment. Toward that end, CUNY’s Policy is that students who seek medical assistance either for themselves or others and/or are reporting violence or harassment will not be subject to discipline under the circumstances outlined in the CUNY Drug/Alcohol Use Amnesty Policy.
On-Campus Resources:
The Counseling Center
The Counseling Centerprovides services to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. They provide free and confidential services in a safe environment.
Student Disability Services
Student Disability Services provides academic accommodations to students with documented disabilities, including students in recovery, medical and mental health conditions. To find out more about the services available, visit theirServices website. To learn how to register with Disability Services, visit theirRegistration Process pageor contact the office at 718-960-8441.
Off-Campus Resources:
NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)
(518)-485-1768
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Help Line
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
1-800-662-HELP(4357)
Local Services:
The following program specializes in working with adolescents ages 14-24 who are in recovery or are looking to start recovery/treatment:
Project Rising
1510 Waters Place, Bronx NY, 10461
718-409-9433
Project REACH at Mount Sinai
17 East 102nd Street
7th Floor (Area C and D)
646-951-1693
The following program specializes in working with victims of domestic and sexual abuse:
Changing Futures Program
3101 Kingsbridge Terrace
Bronx, NY 10463
718-884-0700
