CORE Alcohol and Drug Report
In early April, the results of the CORE Alcohol and Drug survey that almost half the student body participated in became available. The results of this survey have, until now, not been released to students. There are a variety of reasons for this.
Some have expressed concern about putting this survey out without a proper frame in which to discuss the results. On its own, the report tells a story that has been described as “shocking,” and may make some uncomfortable: Tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, amphetamine, cocaine, and opiate use is up from 2000. Nearly half of respondents binged within two weeks prior to the study (five or more drinks in one sitting), up more than ten percent, and the average number of drinks per week has also risen significantly.
Another story the trend tells is about social expectations. A majority of respondents (89%) think that the average student uses drugs at least once per week, and almost all of the respondents (96%) think that the average student uses alcohol at least once per week. The percentages of people who prefer not to have alcohol or drugs at parties shows a downward trend.
The executive summary compares Hampshire to other colleges. Although it seems Hampshire students do more drugs overall than other schools, many other numbers are similar. Hampshire’s trends are pointing up, and there is no given data on the trends of the reference group.
Some administrators feel that taking this survey alone will not put it in proper context. Context will add a reference to why the survey was conducted and what the results mean under that frame. This context, they hope, will provide some ways to approach what may be seen as ‘problems’ on campus.
Planning for the survey began in August at the administrative retreat, before the 2005/2006 school year started. According to Dean of Students Mike Ford, the CORE survey was prompted in a very significant way by the Jessica Payne Consulting report on Hampshire’s retention.
Drug use is not entirely a social problem on campus, but also has strong academic influences, says Ford. He references an excerpt from the interviews in the retention study:
“...[I]t was ‘Okay, do I go back to my dorm room now because its midnight and go to sleep because I have an eight o’clock class, or do I smoke another bowl and chill out with my friands and risk not waking up on time.’ And I was, ‘Well I don’t have to go to class, its not like I have to be in class right now. Its not like I have only three classes I can miss and then my grade drops...’” (excerpt from interview 17).
If students are using substances rather than going to class because there is nothing “lingering over” them, as one student put it, administrators ask about what problems this may point to.
In Ford’s opinion, some amount of substance use is linked in a very direct way to the quality of academics at Hampshire. Along with the above quote and other excerpts from the retention study, Ford says that unchallenging classes and lack of direct communication about responsibility can be blamed for some of the drug use, if students are often choosing to use drugs rather than getting a good night’s sleep for class in the morning. The upward trend of drug use may be related to falling academic standards.
Whatever the reasons, administrators feel the results of the CORE survey should be accompanied by discussion. There are plans to hold an all community meeting as soon after classes end as possible. They hope this will be the beginning of a series of productive discussions about community health, drugs, alcohol, and related issues, as well as reinforcing the school’s policy on such matters.
There is speculation on one possible outcome, the creation of a student/staff advisory board to address community health concerns. This idea has been discussed somewhat and will probably be brought up before students at the community meeting. Hampshire’s drug and alcohol policy has been reprinted from the student handbook for your convenience:
“Hampshire College, in accordance with both federal legislation and existing college policy, is committed to providing a drug free, healthful and safe environment for all students. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance, and the unauthorized possession or use of alcoholic beverages on the Hampshire College campus or as part of any college activity or business off the college premises is prohibited. If a student violates this policy disciplinary action up to and including expulsion and referral for prosecution may result as deemed appropriate.”
