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About the Author
Crystal Primeau McLeod, MA, LLP
Director, Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially relevant when addressing substance misuse among college students. This period of transition—marked by new freedoms and pressures—can make students vulnerable to risky behaviors. Whether you are faculty, staff, or a concerned friend, you can be the first to notice when a student is struggling with health or wellness. To better support our entire campus community in this shared responsibility, the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being (CSMHW) is launching a comprehensive, grant-funded campaign to equip our community with new tools for substance misuse prevention and intervention.
Understanding the Need on Our Campus
Recent data from the Healthy Minds survey (September 2024) shows a clear need for support at Michigan Tech. Of the students surveyed:
- 16% of students reported using cannabis in the last 30 days.
- 37% of students reported drinking alcohol in the last two weeks.
- Of those students, 58% of women and 67% of men reported binge drinking.
Historically, our substance misuse outreach has been limited. This new initiative provides a framework to offer consistent, year-round support for our students.
A Grant to Empower Our Community
In July the CSMHW received a $42,000 grant from the Jamie Daniels Foundation to launch this campus-wide substance misuse outreach initiative. A key goal of this initiative is to meet students wherever they are on their journey—from those just beginning to question their substance use, to those seeking support to maintain a sober lifestyle. The grant funds will enable us to increase student participation in prevention events, enhance visibility through campus-wide materials, promote healthy coping strategies, and launch a new peer support community, laying the groundwork for more robust support services in the future.
To meet these goals, we are collaborating with departments across campus, including Student Leadership and Involvement, Community Conduct, Residential Living, and Essential Education. The grant also funds a substance use consultant for clinical guidance and two student positions to help run the programs.
New Programs and Resources for Students
This academic year, you can expect to see several new programs designed to support students:
- Behind the Buzz: A workshop series for alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine.
- Biofeedback Course: An Essential Education course focused on healthy coping strategies (launching fall 2025).
- Sober Activity Nights: Fun, substance-free social events.
- Peer-led Support Group: A new community focused on substance misuse prevention.
- eCheckupToGo: Promotion of our online, confidential self-assessment tool.
How You Can Help
Your role in identifying and referring students is vital to their success. Here are the best ways you can support this initiative:
- Refer a Student: If you are concerned about a student, please encourage them to connect with the CSMHW for confidential support or submit a concern report through the Dean of Students Office.
- Share Resources: Familiarize yourself with the eCheckupToGo program. It’s an excellent, low-stakes tool you can recommend to students for a private self-assessment.
- Promote Events: Mention the workshops and sober activity nights in your classes, newsletters, or meetings, or join our event promotion email list to stay up to date on and promote our events. Awareness is the first step.
- Learn More with AHRE: Use our institutional membership with the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (AHRE) to access research-based resources and professional development opportunities.
The Substance Misuse Prevention Campaign is a proactive approach to reducing harm through education and support. The CSMHW is proud to introduce these new programs designed to lay the groundwork for healthier choices and help students thrive.