Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Resources
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program
DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION
Health Risks
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, drug use & alcohol consumption carries both short-term and long-term health risks:
Short-Term Health Risks
- Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.
- Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
- Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.
- Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
- Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) among pregnant women.
Long-Term Health Risks
- High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
- Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon.
- Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.
- Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
- Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems, and unemployment.
- Alcohol or drug dependence.
Reference: Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2019). Alcohol Use and Your Health, https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
Prevalence
According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):
- Prevalence of Drinking: 58.0 percent of full-time college students ages 18–22 drank alcohol in the past month compared with 48.2 percent of other persons of the same age.
- Prevalence of Binge Drinking: 37.9 percent of college students ages 18–22 reported binge drinking in the past month compared with 32.6 percent of other persons of the same age.
- Prevalence of Heavy Drinking: 12.5 percent of college students ages 18–22 reported heavy alcohol use in the past month compared with 8.5 percent of other persons of the same age.
Printed resources are available in MJC Health Services. Agencies and organizations providing information include:
- Kick-It California
- California Youth Advocacy Network
- American College Health Association
- Stanislaus County Health Services Agency
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
Health Services Available:
On-Campus Resources (no cost):
- Screening:
- Universal screening of substance use for students requesting a nurse or mental health visit.
- Anonymous substance use and other mental health and wellness screenings through MindWise
- Services:
- Brief one-on-one therapy with Health Services providers
- Crisis Counseling: Health Services offers same-day hour appointments pending provider availability. MJC Counseling also accepts walk-ins for students in crisis.
- 24/7 mental health support through TimelyCare
- Referrals to community-based treatment programs
- Training
- Prevention and Education
- Healthy Living Events
- Ongoing campus outreach and health/wellness events
Community Resources:
- Adult Treatment Services (Stanislaus County)
- Substance Use Education and Prevention (Stanislaus County)
- Opioid Safety, Treatment, and Recovery Services (Stanislaus County)
Hotlines/Crisis Lines/Quitting Support:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) National Helpline
- Truth Initiative: Inspiring Lives Free from smoking, vaping, and nicotine
- Kick-It California: Helps Californians kick smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco
- Start Your Recovery: Support for overcoming substance misuse