Results announced from alcohol, drug survey

In 2006, Saint Mary’s University Student Health Services collaborated with the University of Minnesota to assess the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drug use among our undergraduate students. Surveys were delivered in the spring of 2006 to 716 SMU students and from this pool, 207 surveys were returned, a response rate of 27.2 %. A response rate of 27.9 % is considered statistically significant.
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SMU Health Services and Counseling Services would like to share some of the findings from the 2006 assessment with the goal of inviting and encouraging broad support from the SMU community in improving academic success and the lives of our students. All University employees have a federal mandate and obligation (through the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act) to take an active role in helping to make Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota a safer, more productive, healthier, and law-abiding place to live, work, and play.

Alcohol Use

In the survey, 60.9 % of male students and 35.9% of female students reported high risk drinking within the two weeks prior to taking the survey. Among the underage students at SMU, 57.9% of men and 31% of women reported high risk drinking within the two weeks prior to the survey. High risk drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks at one time.
Negative consequences linked to students engaging in drinking and high risk drinking over the past year were reported as follows:

All students
Driving under the influence 21.3%
Taken advantage of sexually 11.6%
Missed class 28.2%
Poor test or project 19.8%

Non HRD
Driving under the influence 8.6%
Taken advantage of sexually 5.2%
Missed class 10.3%
Poor test or project 7.8%

HRD
Driving under the influence 37.8%
Taken advantage of sexually 20%
Missed class 50.6%
Poor test or project 34.4%

Although not a new problem nor a problem unique to Saint Mary’s University, high risk drinking and subsequent high risk behavior are not merely rites of passage for college students. The staff of SMU Health Services and Counseling Services believe that as Lasallian educators we all have an opportunity and responsibility to instill a sense of personal responsibility and a concern for the welfare of self and others, and to ignite a thirst for knowledge and a respect for legitimate authority in those students entrusted to our care.

Tobacco and Marijuana Use

In the surveys, 1.5 % of SMU students reported daily tobacco use compared with 10.6 % nationally. Among SMU students, 13.7 % reported smoking tobacco within 30 days of taking the survey, while nationally the percentage of students reporting smoking tobacco within 30 days is much higher at 31.5 %. Of students who labeled themselves tobacco smokers, 71.4 % of SMU students reported trying to quit within the twelve months prior to the survey.
Marijuana use within twelve months was reported by 18.1 % of SMU students, with 7. 5 % reporting use within 30 days of the survey. The rate for marijuana use among tobacco users was 29.6 % vs. 4.1 % among non-tobacco users. Other illicit drug use by tobacco users was reported by 29. 6 %, significantly higher than the 2.3 % reported by non-tobacco users. This data indicates that while tobacco use in general is low among SMU students, students who do use tobacco at SMU are also more likely to be engaging in illegal and dangerous drug consumption habits.

Points for consideration and reflection:

• Recognizing the national, international, and statewide trends moving towards smoke free environments, is it time for Saint Mary’s University to go completely smoke-free?
• As Lasallian educators, how can we have serious conversations about alcohol, tobacco, and drugs with individuals or groups of students? Is there a place within the classroom as well as outside the classroom to discuss these potentially life altering behaviors?
• How can we discuss these issues with students in ways that lead to real behavior change?
• Is it appropriate to articulate student responsibilities regarding alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption within syllabi and to have similar guidelines posted within classrooms and other common student meeting places?
• What are appropriate responses to students who may come to class under the influence of alcohol or drugs? What are appropriate responses to students who may be present in faculty offices smelling of alcohol or marijuana?
• What components of an alcohol and drug policy will contribute to a positive campus environment, healthy student lifestyles, and optimum academic performance.
• In what ways should alcohol and drug policies be enforced?

As Student Development personnel review our educational efforts and policies regarding alcohol and other drug use and abuse, we strongly advocate a unified and consistent approach by the University in dealing with these issues. We invite members of the university community to share their opinions and come forward with suggestions that can be of benefit to all of our students.

Comments may be directed the following staff members:

Chris Kendall
Tim Gossen
Michael O’Friel
Ann Gibson
Angel Weisbrod
Ruth Mathews
Julie Buege