Substance-free support group to begin in February

A number of alcohol-related incidents have occurred among the college student population in our region over the course of this academic year. Unfortunately, alcohol and drug abuse continue to impact our students’ lives despite continued efforts to reduce the harm that accompanies such abuse. Saint Mary’s has a new alcohol, drug, and tobacco policy that was introduced in August, 2007. This has helped to clarify the institution’s position on these issues and made enforcement of policies more effective. Training of university staff has helped increase levels of consistency regarding policy implementation and students have begun to realize that we are taking dangerous and belligerent abuse of substances more seriously.
Read more...

Initiatives started this year include the use of a BreathScan. This can be used by underage students who have been documented in the presence of alcohol to prove that they did not drink, thereby avoiding any judicial consequences.

Our continued focus at Saint Mary’s is to reduce risks associated with alcohol and drug consumption primarily through education and support for students struggling with these issues. With this goal in mind, a new partnership has formed between Winona State University and Saint Mary’s counseling services to offer a supportive peer group aimed at students who want to stop using alcohol and drugs.

Please refer students interested in getting support for these issues to Dr. Michael O’Friel, AOD education coordinator and Counselor at Ext. 1773 (office), Ext. 6692 (direct), or e-mail: mofriel@smumn.edu