SMU Steps Up Fight Against Substance Abuse

[Water Pony]

Oct 22, 2007 5:37 pm US/Central

SMU Steps Up Fight Against Substance Abuse

(CBS 11 News) UNIVERSITY PARK SMU's administration is confronting students over alcohol and drug problems. This fall 15 students have been taken to the hospital for drug and alcohol-related overdoses.

Last year at this time, SMU police wrote 115 drug and alcohol-related violations. This year, that number has increased by more than 50 percent. A forum held tonight on campus is designed to get feedback from faculty, students, and even parents on how the school can improve its policies.

Some would say college and partying go hand and hand. Drinking and drug use? Part of any college's culture.

But substance abuse is a major concern at SMU. In addition to the 15 students who have been hospitalized this year, three students died of drug or alcohol-related overdoses last year.

Lori White is SMU's vice president for student affairs. "It's very discouraging," she said, "if you look at all the things SMU is doing."

She's talking about things like the school's educational programs and its substance abuse prevention task force.

But many students say, it's not a problem. One told us it's not any worse at SMU than at any other school.

Lori White agrees, to a point. "I've worked at six universities," she said, "and on every one alcohol was an issue on that campus."

But after facing such tragedy last year, it's hard to deny that this year's off to an unfortunate start.

The task force will hand over its report in December. If you have any suggestions on what can help, they want to hear from you. Visit them at smu.edu

[couch 'em]

That'll teach 'em to seek medical attention. Hide your drunks in the back room as long as they are still breathing!

[southerncomfort]

According to the Daily Campus, turn-out was pretty dismal for the forum...no big surprise.