2008 Woodie Awards
University Offers Drug Program to Help Students Kick Addiction
Glen L. Sherman, Ph.D.
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Submissions
You've probably seen the posters or advertisements. They typically start with an interesting and eye-catching fact and image, and end with a statement such as, "Most William Paterson University students drink alcohol moderately or not at all."
Four years ago, with the support and vision of WPU President Arnold Speert, Vice President for Student Development John Martone and the Board of Trustees, the university began a more thoughtful approach to the issue of inappropriate or problematic use of alcohol. Since that time, the Division of Student Development, in partnership with faculty members, has spent a great deal of time and energy putting together a comprehensive program to engage students about decisions related to alcohol.
The program, called Environmental Management, addresses issues related to alcohol and other drug use, such as underage drinking. It is comprehensive in that it does not rely on one strategy alone to achieve its goal; rather, it utilizes several strategies that, when taken together, are more effective than any one strategy alone. The intent of the poster approach is to correct any misperceptions about the way WPU students use alcohol. Often, students overestimate the amount other students drink, which may lead to poor decisions by this misinformation. By correcting these misperceptions, students have good information upon which to make wise decisions about how they will address the issues of alcohol and other drugs.
The key to these campaigns is that they are based on real data taken from a representative cross-section of WPU students. While students often challenge the truth of these claims, the reality is that they are based on our own students' responses to standardized survey questions, and do truly reflect the behaviors of the student population here.
While our social norms campaigns have matured over the past four years, we have also expanded our approach to prevention of problematic alcohol use. We have worked closely with our student leaders in planning campus-wide events, such as Music Fest, to be consistent with our philosophy of promoting and supporting safe, healthy fun for our students.
Four years ago, with the support and vision of WPU President Arnold Speert, Vice President for Student Development John Martone and the Board of Trustees, the university began a more thoughtful approach to the issue of inappropriate or problematic use of alcohol. Since that time, the Division of Student Development, in partnership with faculty members, has spent a great deal of time and energy putting together a comprehensive program to engage students about decisions related to alcohol.
The program, called Environmental Management, addresses issues related to alcohol and other drug use, such as underage drinking. It is comprehensive in that it does not rely on one strategy alone to achieve its goal; rather, it utilizes several strategies that, when taken together, are more effective than any one strategy alone. The intent of the poster approach is to correct any misperceptions about the way WPU students use alcohol. Often, students overestimate the amount other students drink, which may lead to poor decisions by this misinformation. By correcting these misperceptions, students have good information upon which to make wise decisions about how they will address the issues of alcohol and other drugs.
The key to these campaigns is that they are based on real data taken from a representative cross-section of WPU students. While students often challenge the truth of these claims, the reality is that they are based on our own students' responses to standardized survey questions, and do truly reflect the behaviors of the student population here.
While our social norms campaigns have matured over the past four years, we have also expanded our approach to prevention of problematic alcohol use. We have worked closely with our student leaders in planning campus-wide events, such as Music Fest, to be consistent with our philosophy of promoting and supporting safe, healthy fun for our students.
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