College is a time to forge new social relationships and explore independence and choice-making. Most CSU students make wise choices around substance use. However, for some students, substance use can be a major obstacle to their personal and academic success.

Health Education and Prevention Services (HEPS) staff work collaboratively to provide an inclusive, campus substance misuse prevention program that includes a comprehensive suite of population-based strategies in support of the health and well-being of the CSU campus community. Initiatives focus on prevention education and promotion of responsible behavior around substances, geared to help students make healthy and responsible choices, while avoiding harm to self and others. Strategies used address risk and enhance protective factors.Program efforts also include identifying students in distress related to their substance use and connecting them to support resources, as well as substance misuse prevention related campus policy work and recovery support. This area oversees the review process and campus reporting requirement for the Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) Biennial Review, as well as assists campus with yearly Clery Act reporting and Drug Abuse and Prevention Program communications requirements. Program staff oversee the administering of two required, incoming student educational modules, AlcolholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention, of which supports campus federal government mandated compliance for Title IX.

Program staff chair the Campus/Community Substance Misuse Prevention Advisory Committee. The committee aims to provide strategic direction and refine substance misuse prevention efforts, capitalizing on the power of collective impact through the coordination of initiatives and services across campus and the greater community. Trends and trainings are provided to help empower the group in their related roles. Meetings are held quarterly and updates are provided on an ongoing basis. Staff are also are critical members of committees contributing to student success efforts and community/state college substance misuse prevention.

For a summary of current initiatives, see: