Parents FAQ: Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD)
What are the expectations and the policies of the College?
The College expects all our students to abide by state laws and local regulations.
The drinking age in Virginia is 21. At the same time many college students, regardless of age, view the consumption of alcohol as both an entitlement and an intrinsic part of the college experience.
Alcohol use/abuse is almost invariably a factor when students are involved in incidents on campus and in the surrounding community. Alcohol use/abuse is also a frequent factor in poor academic performance, among other issues of concern. These are important collateral effects of high risk drinking to discuss with your students.
We ask for your help in encouraging students to engage in the legal, appropriate use of alcohol. Our goal, in partnership with you and your student, is to help students make legal, safe and healthy choices.
The College does not condone or tolerate the use/abuse of illegal drugs. The College prohibits (in accordance with College policy, and federal, state, and local laws) the manufacturing, possessing, selling, transmitting, using, or being party to any illegal drug or drug paraphernalia or the illegal possession, sale or use of controlled substances on College premises or at College sponsored activities.
The illegal possession, sale, or use of stimulant and depressive drugs, narcotic drugs, date rape drugs, prescription drugs such as Ritalin, and psychedelic drugs, such as, but not limited to, amphetamines (“speed,”“dexies,” “bennies,” etc.), barbiturates (Phenobarbital, Secobarbital,etc.), heroin, opium, marijuana, LSD, STP, hashish, mescaline, and psilocybin. Violators may also be subject to criminal action. Minimum College sanction: Immediate suspension.
How do parents influence a student’s use of alcohol and other drugs?
In the same way that a young child learns from watching and listening to his or her parents, a college student’s primary source of education about alcohol and drugs is what is observed and learned at home. For these reasons, parents who model safe and responsible decision making about drugs and alcohol have been shown to have a positive influence on the choices their college students make.
Additionally, evidence from a recent study (Turrisi, 2005) suggests that freshman binge drinking was significantly reduced on campus with one simple intervention: Parents talked with their children about binge drinking and strongly discouraged this behavior. Parents are encouraged to talk with their sons and daughters early in their R-MC career about the negative impact alcohol and other drug (AOD) use can have on academics, relationships, and health. Furthermore, parents are encouraged to continue this conversation with their students throughout their years at R-MC.
What if a parent has mixed feelings about underage drinking and partying? After all, isn’t drinking an important part of the college experience?
Many parents wonder how they can send a firm message about alcohol and drug use when they may have been involved with that type of behavior in college and have positive memories about it. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind that Dr. Matt Bellace, a neuroscientist/stand-up comedian/prevention specialist has for parents:
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The legal consequences for youth today are much more severe than years ago.
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Recent research shows that the adolescent brain is quite vulnerable to alcohol and drug induced brain damage and more susceptible to addiction than an adult brain.
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Marajunna and other drugs today are far more potent and addicting than those of the 60’s and 70’s. Dealers have devised better ways to get students to try drugs, to hook users, and to increase profits.
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If an adolescent uses alcohol and/or drugs to cope with problems, those ineffective coping mechanisms will play a major role in how teens will deal with life problems and stress in adulthood.
What kind of AOD education/prevention service dose R-MC provide?
All new R-MC students are required to complete the on-line College Alc course prior to the start of New Student Orientation.
All students sanctioned through the R-MC judicial process are required to take College Alc or a refresher version of College Alc. The alcohol education sessions are conducted by the Coordinator of AOD Prevention.
Course Objectives:
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Students will increase their knowledge of the effects of alcohol on their body based on personal risk factors.
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Students will be able to identify strategies that can be used to prevent alcohol-related harm from occurring to self and others.
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Students will see appropriate responses to alcohol-related situations modeled in the course videos.
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Students will reflect on their personal choices, including use, through on-line journals and other personal feedback mechanisms.
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Students will get a more accurate picture of the alcohol use and harm prevention behaviors of other college students.
What kind of treatment is available on campus and in the Richmond Community?
The Center for Counseling Services provides confidential education and counseling services to students regarding the harmful effects of abusing alcohol and other drugs (AOD), and how to enjoy academic and college life without the use of such substances. Students who are concerned about their own use of alcohol/drugs, or are worried about a friend's use, should contact the Center (x7270). Referrals can also be made by counseling staff to Richmond area treatment facilities and private practitioners that specialize in the treatment of AOD issues
Alcoholics Anonymous: Students who wish to begin or continue their recovery from substance abuse can attend the local AA group on Monday and/or Thursday nights (8:00 pm) at 401 Virginia Street (Ashland Presbyterian Church, two blocks from campus). For other local AA meetings in the Richmond area, call 355.1212.
Narcotics Anonymous: A Narcotics Anonymous meeting is held Friday nights at 7:30 at St. Ann's Parish Center on 105 Snead Street in Ashland. It is approximately one mile from campus. Call 798.5039 for more information.
Additional substance abuse information and resources can be found at the following Websites:
Talking with someone about their alcohol abuse. Straightforward ideas for how to confront and help a friend or family member.
College drinking prevention and education. A clearing house of information for students, parents, higher education administrators and faculty.
Up to date and accurate information about specific drugs and their impact (e.g., easy to understand research reports on cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens). http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/default.html
Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS) www.hsph.harvard.edu/cas/
Spady Foundation www.samspadyfoundation.org/
Facts on Tap http://www.factsontap.org/
Core Institute http://www.siu.edu/departments/coreinst/public_html/
Call 804.752.7270 for more information, or go to the AOD Webpage
http://www.rmc.edu/Offices/counseling/alcoholdruginformation.aspx