Substance Abuse Prevention & EducationUniversity of South Carolina

Faculty & Staff Resource GuideTo Recognizing and Addressing High- Risk Behavior in USC Students

Prevention, early detection and timely intervention are vital if we are to reduce the number of alcohol and drug related incidents at the University of South Carolina. Research indicates that students view faculty and staff as a credible source of information and credibility is necessary to help educate them about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. High-risk drinking affects learning, and some students underachieve at college because of their drinking behaviors. The Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education hopes to partner with Faculty and Staff through this Guide to influence healthy behavior and responsible decision-making regarding the use of alcohol and drugs among our student community.

The University is taking strong measures to educate students on the risks and consequences associated with alcohol and other drug use, and you will read about those measures in this guide. In addition, the Carolina Community Coalition continues to examine the campus environment as it relates to education on high risk behaviors, current preventive measures, and policies related to alcohol and other drugs. With all of these efforts our students still need your help in discussing and recognizing these issues so that they have a responsible college experience.

Call to Action

Exploring this Guide •Call To Action

•Warning Signs

•About the SAPE Office

•Identifying Types of Drugs

•Faculty/Staff Involvement

•Talking Points

•Resources

Information compiled by The Substance Abuse Prevention and Education Office, Spring 2012.

Warning Signs/Behaviors to Watch for What are high-risk behaviors?

Some examples of high-risk behaviors are:

• Chugging alcohol, participating in drinking games, or drinking shots• Drinking alcohol with the purpose of getting drunk• Driving after drinking alcohol • Riding in a car with someone who is under the influence of alcohol/ drugs• Not knowing what you are drinking or leaving your drink unattended• Mixing alcohol with medications, energy drinks, or other illegal drugs• llegally using prescription drugs• Using illegal drugs• Driving while under the influence of illegal drugs

Warning Sings/Behavior to Watch for

Physical Signs

• Change in sleeping patterns• Bloodshot eyes• Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain• Skin abrasion/bruises• Neglected appearance/poor hygiene• Sick more frequently

Behavioral Signs

• Hiding use, lying and covering up• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities• Emotional instability• Hyperactive or hyper-aggressive• Depression• Missing school or work• Failure to fulfill responsibilities at school or work• Reports of intoxication at school or wok• Avoiding eye contact• Going out every night• Change in friends or peer group• Change in clothing or appearance• Unusual smells on clothing or breath• Heavy use of over-the-counter drugs• Disappearances for long periods of time• Unusual containers or wrappers

• Bottle of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils

SAPE Office – Who we are and what we do

The University of South Carolina is proactive in educating students about the consequences of engaging in high risk behavior. The Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education (SAPE) works to educate students so that they can make informed and responsible decisions regarding substance-related behavior and other student-wellness issues. The SAPE Office aims to use collaboration with other service areas and departments on and off campus to provide students with programs and resources to help them recognize that their decisions impact not only themselves but also the greater University and city of Columbia communities.

The SAPE Office cannot be successful without partnering with faculty and staff like you to reach the USC Community.

Please encourage your students to get involved with programs and services that are offered by the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education. Please visit the SAPE Office website for additional information about program and services offered: www.sa.sc.edu/sape

The SAPE Office is located in the Russell House West WIng

Knowing what kind of drugs students could be involved with, the symptoms and nicknames of these drugs are all important.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy sponsors a project called The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. This project has developed a variety of multimedia ads under the tag “Above the Influence”. The SAPE Office has found that the resources this organization provides are phenomenal. For more information about identifying types of drugs (including pictures, definitions, alternative names, and the risk factors) please visit

www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts.

YOU Can Make a Difference!

Value Your Relationships with your Students!

Students have a high level of respect for you. Seeing students 2-5 times a week give you the ability to notice changes in attitudes and behaviors. We want you to understand that you are often the least threatening person to approach a student about high-risk behaviors. You see students who are missing classes, missing deadlines, and their inability to pay attention during classes; these are the signs that a student may be participating in high-risk behaviors. Talking to the student and showing that you care can make a difference.

Don’t Cancel Class – Call SAPE!

All students need alcohol and drug education, please call us to substitute for your class! The Office of Substance Abuse Prevention & Education: sape@mailbox.sc.edu or 777-5781

Faculty and Staff Can Take an Active Role

One of the ways that faculty and staff can show their support is to take a stand again substance abuse on Carolina’s campus outside of the classroom is by promoting and supporting the SAPE events. Check out current events happening on campus by visiting www.sa.sc.edu/stlife and www.cp.sc.edu.

“Students will rise to the challenge - provide them the opportunity.

A recent study of over 100,000 first year students revealed that nearly

thirty percent of drinkers and a quarter of high-risk drinkers would reduce their

own drinking as a result of stricter policies.”

(Outside The Classroom, 2010).

Speak UP!

There is not a formula for talking to students who have a suspected alcohol and/or drug problem. It is probably going to be uncomfortable unless you have a developed relationship with the student and each situation is going to look very different. Outlined below is a list of talking points if you are really uncomfortable with these types of situations and things to consider before meeting with a student.

Talking Points

• Speak Up. It is often easy to just let your concerns go to avoid an uncomfortable situation but this could mean the student is continuing to participate in the high-risk behavior for a number of reasons. Speak UP!

• You obviously have a genuine concern for the student to be initiating this conversation. Thank you because this is the first step towards helping the student. However try to remember not to hold yourself responsible for the actions of any student; the student will have to want the help.

• Find a casual way to bring the student in for conversation (i.e. extra help, grades, a particular assignment/project, etc.)

• Ask Questions in a non-threatening manner. Attempt to get to know the student.

• Talk with the student in private if you feel comfortable. When needed, use an additional member of staff of the same gender as the student may make the student more comfortable. Do not address the student in public (i.e. during or in front of the classroom/organization/staff)

• Describe the specific behaviors/concerns you have observed that have called this situation into question. The sooner you address the behavior the better.

• Express your sincere concern for the student’s welfare. • LISTEN to the student. This is one of the most important components to

this guide.

• Discuss a plan of action if the student is willing. Does the student have someone to talk to? Would you (as their faculty/staff) be willing to be this person if they don’t have anyone? Regardless make sure you follow up with the student after this initial conversation.

• Refer the student to the appropriate resources – see the section in this guide outlining available resources in the USC and Columbia community.

• Ultimately don’t expect the student to be appreciative right away. They might be very angry that you have noticed the change in their behavior, however if you speaking with them makes them even just think twice about their behavior then your conversation made an impact.

Carolina students studying on the horseshoe

If the student need more support than what you can provide, it is important to know where to help the student find this support. • Counseling Center – Students have 12 free counseling session each

academic year, please encourage students to take advantage of this service. Take time to introduce yourself to the counseling staff because having a connection with the staff could help the student feel more comfortable. www.sa.sc.edu/shs/chdc

• BIT (Behavioral Intervention Team) – This organization was created to address student behaviors that are disruptive and may include mental health and/or safety issues. www.sc.edu/bit

Behaviors that warrant a BIT referral include:

• Self-injurious behavior/suicidal ideation or attempt (include but not limited to talk of suicide or suicidal action);

• Erratic behavior, including online activities, that disrupt the normal mission and/or normal proceedings of University students, faculty, staff or community (include but not limited to threats of a weapon on campus, significant inappropriate disruption to community, potential for safety being compromised);

• Hospital transport for alcohol and drug use/abuse.

Now What?

by the numbers

93 Percent of Carolina students who believe the average student on campus uses alcohol once a week or more

78 Percent of Carolina students who indicated they would rather not to have drugs available at parties they attend

79 percent of undergraduate Carolina students who consumed alcohol in the past 30 days

57 Percent of Carolina students who reported binge drinking in the previous two weeks

46 Percent of Carolina students who reported having used marijuana in the past year

89 Percent of Carolina students who reported having consumed alcohol in the past year

42 Percent of Carolina students who reported experiencing peer pressure to drink alcohol or use drugs

Source: University of South Carolina Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education

(Core Alcohol and Drug Survey 2012)

Carolina Campus Resources

Substance Abuse Prevention & Education:803-777-5781www.sa.sc.edu/sape

Student Health Services 803-777-8248 www.sa.sc.edu/shs

Campus Wellness 803-576-9393 www.sa.sc.edu/shs/cw

Sexual Assault Violence Inter-vention & Prevention 803-777-8248 www.sa.sc.edu/shs/savip

Counseling & Human Develop-ment Center803-777-5223 www.sa.sc.edu/shs/chdc

Office of Student Conduct 803-777-4333 www.sc.edu/osc

DAODAS (Department of Al-cohol and Other Drug Abuse Services of South Carolina) 803-896-5555www.daodas.state.sc.us

Alcohol Policywww.sc.edu/policies/staf302.pdf

Drug Policywww.sc.edu/policies/staf318.pdf

Columbia Community Resources

Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (LRADAC) 803-540-7680 or www.lradac.org

Alcoholics Anonymous (Our local information is Area 62) www.aa.org

Narcotics Anonymous www.na.org

Drug Free America www.drugfree.org

Sober Recovery www.soberreovery.com

Online Resources

College Drinking Prevention Re-search www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov

Rethinking Drinking – NIAAA www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov

Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth www.camy.org

Higher Education Center www.edc.org/hec

Battling Addiction: An Extensive List of Alcohol Re-lated Resourceswww.addiction411.com/battling-addiction/

Finding a Treatment Facility in South Carolina (Alcohol & Drugs) www.hopelinks.net/drug-treat-ment/south-carolina/29203.html

Resources