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Campus Substance Abuse Policies in Action: The Role of the Resident Hall Staff

NCJ Number
184420
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 45 Issue: 1 Dated: Fall 1999 Pages: 13-31
Author(s)
Tom O'Hare; Margaret V. Sherrer
Date Published
1999
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article examines the role of the resident hall staff in implementing university substance abuse policies.
Abstract
A survey of 87 resident hall staff (RHS) used frequency data and factor analysis to summarize the following: RHS-reported estimates of student substance abuse and related problems, their level of knowledge about these drugs, frequency of problems experienced by students and interventions used, the degree of confidence in dealing with specific problems and using specific intervention skills. Qualitative responses about their role and suggestions for improving university policies were also summarized. RHS saw their role as a combination of counselor and enforcer, saw substance abuse problems as essentially learned behavior, and leaned toward a harm reduction approach to intervention. They saw a deep need for more effective enforcement and coordination of university policies, more substance abuse education/prevention activities on campus, and an increase in the professional status of RHS that includes practical training. Tables, references