Substance Abuse Prevention
KNOW Campaign
KNOW the facts: Does everyone on campus drink? What are UND students really doing?
KNOW your limit: If you choose to drink, KNOWing how to do it responsibly. How many is too many?
KNOW how to help: Prevent critical situations from turning into emergencies. KNOW the signs of overdose, how to help, and how the laws protect individuals from criminal punishment when seeking help.
Do you believe it?
These numbers can be difficult for some people to believe, which is precisely why we want people to see them. Perception is not always reality. We tend to assume that “everyone” is getting drunk all the time. When in fact, most people tend to make low-risk choices most of the time. There are a number of reasons why these misperceptions occur.
- Stereotypes and reputations reinforce our misperceptions.
- People who binge drink are usually surrounded by friends who binge drink, thus making it more difficult to see how many people make low-risk choices. (False Consensus)
- Our social media feeds are more likely to feature people who appear to be binge drinking.
- People who make low risk choices tend to hang out in smaller groups of people. Thus, they are less obvious.
- People who make low risk choices tend to draw less attention to themselves when they do go out. Again making them less obvious.
Where do these numbers come from?
Most of the statistics from the KNOW campaign are from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA). UND has participated in the ACHA-NCHA every other year since 2000. The 2018 Executive Summary is available for you to review. UND has participated in the ACHA-NCHA during all even years since the year 2000.
In addition to the ACHA-NCHA, UND has participated in the CORE Survey and ND ATOD survey each even year since 2006. Having both surveys to compare to one another increases the reliability of our data.
How does UND compare to other campuses?
The American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) is distributed nationally at nearly two hundred schools per year. This allows us to compare our UND results to national averages. We are generally within a percentage point or two with the national averages in most categories. These comparisons, along with our institutional trends over time, help with establishing reliability for our dataset. The national executive summary is available on request.
While drinking can be a good time, not all aspects of it are positive.
Less is More
How do you know when you have had enough to drink?
Some people tend to wait until they feel dizzy or their stomach hurts until they stop drinking. But waiting until this level of impairment can bring with it a lot of the negative effects of drinking. Research suggests this is past the point of diminishing returns and that we are better off consuming less alcohol and keeping our blood alcohol level below .05. How do you do this?
It's as easy as 0-1-2-3
Setting low limits with alcohol will help you stay in control and avoid negative consequences.
0 - When to not drink.
Driving somewhere? Big test coming up? Taking medications? Missed a meal today? Trust yourself to say no when it is in your best interest to avoid drinking.
1 - Drink per hour.
Limit yourself to no more than one standard drink per hour. The body takes just over one hour to process one drink. Drinking faster than this will means dealing with more negative consequences.
2 - Times per week.
Keep drinking down to no more than two times per week. Your body needs two to three days to recover from drinking. Drinking more than twice per week could make it difficult to have a healthy balance with your personal wellness goals.
3 - Drinks per night.
Slow and steady wins the race- no more than three standard drinks per night. Drinking more than this brings out all the negatives...puking, blacking out, hangovers...Yuck!
Protective Behaviors
If you choose to drink, implementing these protective behaviors can help prevent some of those negative effects.
- Eat before and/or during drinking.
- Set a drink limit and stick to it.
- Pace at one standard drink per hour or less.
- Keep track of the number of drinks.
- Alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
- Stay with the same group of friends.
- Arrange sober transportation.
What is a Standard Drink?
Knowing how to count your drinks is an important part of knowing your limit. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a standard drink as:
Alcohol Overdose - Know Your C.A.N.S.
Many people think it is okay to just sleep alcohol off. This is not always true. If you or someone else is experiencing alcohol poisoning, getting help may mean saving a life. If you or someone else has ANY of these symptoms, seek help IMMEDIATELY:
C – Cold, Clammy, or Bluish Skin
A – Asleep or Passed Out
N – Non-Responsive
S – Slow or Irregular Breathing
North Dakota Medical Amnesty Act
If you think you or someone else might need help because of drinking too much, call for help!
"An individual under twenty-one years of age is immune from criminal prosecution under [the North Dakota Century Code] if that individual contacted law enforcement or emergency medical services and reported that another individual under twenty-one years of age was in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption, provided assistance to the individual in need of medical assistance until assistance arrived and remained on the scene, or was the individual in need of medical assistance and cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel on the scene. The maximum number of individuals that may be immune for any one occurrence is five individuals."
NOTE: Students involved are not exempt from disciplinary action under the Code of Student Life. All efforts made by students to positively impact the health and safety of others will be taken into consideration and may lessen possible disciplinary outcomes.
KNOW other substances
It is important to KNOW the risks, KNOW the resources, and KNOW the policies with vaping, marijuana, and prescription drugs.
KNOW the risks
We all know that cigarettes are dangerous. "Isn’t vaping less harmful?" Less harmful does not equal harmless. It isn’t just “water vapor” being inhaled.
What is in an e-cigarette aerosol?
According to the CDC, e-cigarette aerosol contains harmful and potentially harmful substances including:
- Nicotine
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Volatile organic compounds
- Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead
- Ultrafine particles
- Flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
What are the risks?
- Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25.
- Nicotine use can damage your blood vessels.
- One Juul pod contains the amount of nicotine in 20 cigarettes.
- If you vape, you are four times more likely to start smoking cigarettes.
Research on the risks of vaping is emerging daily. Since vaping is a relatively recent trend, we don’t fully know the long term effects of its use. Do you want to be a part of this human experiment?
KNOW the resources
Tobacco and Vaping Cessation for Students:
- ND Quits: Online and phone based support including free counseling, advice, support, and free nicotine replacement products for all who qualify.
- UND Student Health Services for in-person assistance with the physical dependence of nicotine cessation.
- UND Counseling Center for in-person assistance with the psychological dependence of nicotine cessation.
Research on E-Cigarettes/Vaping:
- Truth Campaign | Vaping
- Know the Risks: E-Cigarettes and Young People | Surgeon General
- About E-Cigarettes | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
KNOW the policy
UND is a tobacco free campus; however, tobacco use is allowed on city sidewalks and streets.
The Tobacco Free Policy covers all forms of tobacco including all forms of electronic smoking devices. Tobacco Free = Vape Free.
Compliance with the UND Tobacco Free Policy is the shared responsibility and the right of all UND staff, students, and faculty members. The success of this policy will depend upon the courtesy, respect, and cooperation of users and non-users of tobacco products.
To report a policy violation, please contact the Department of Public Safety at UND.safety@UND.edu or make an anonymous report to University Police.
There is a lot of information out there about marijuana. Some people use it as medicine. What should you believe?
KNOW the risks
Besides the legal risk in North Dakota, it is important for students to consider the following risk areas.
Risk to Academics
Marijuana use is known to have both direct and indirect effects on students' academic performance including the following:
- Compromised ability to retain information.
- Memory impairment.
- Processing speed.
- Impaired decision making and planning ability.
- Decreased motivation to complete tasks.
- Higher likelihood of skipping class.
- Marijuana users have lower GPA on average than non-marijuana users.
Sources:
- Marijuana Use Trajectories and Academic Outcomes Among College Students. Suerken, et. al. (2016)
- The Academic Consequences of Marijuana Use During College. Arria, et. al. (2014)
Risk to Safety
We all know that it is unsafe to drive after drinking. But what about driving after using marijuana? It turns out, it's just as unsafe. How could that be if I can still walk and talk just fine?
Marijuana use impairs a number of skills essential to driving including reaction time, decision making, perception, and coordination. A person with a blood THC content of 5 ng/ml is 6.6 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash. This is comparable to a blood alcohol concentration of .15 (almost twice the legal limit).
Source: Cannabis Effects on Driving. Hartman & Huestis (2013)
KNOW the resources
Campus Support for Students
- UND Counseling Center for personalized assessment and support for the psychosocial aspects of prescription drug usage.
- UND Student Health Services may be of assistance for for medical assistance with the physical health aspects of marijuana usage.
KNOW the policy
UND has a no tolerance policy for drug use, including medical marijuana. Students who violate the UND Code of Student Life or the UND Alcohol and Drugs Policy will be subject to the student conduct process. This could include eviction, parental notification, and loss of financial aid, even on a first offense.
KNOW the risks
Prescription drug abuse can come in many forms and with many types of substances. It can be as simple as a person with a prescription taking more than prescribed. It can be taking someone else’s prescription or buying it through underground channels. Whatever the situation, prescription drug misuse is dangerous.
1. The risk of addiction is high.
No one enters this world with the desire to be addicted to drugs. Yet it happens to many people. Ask anyone that has struggled with addiction and they will give you one piece of advice: “Don’t start.” Why? Because they know how easy it is to go from experimenting to getting sucked in.
2. The risk of overdose is deadly.
A simple mistake in dosing or a miscommunication of product can be life-threatening. Know the signs of overdose and call 911 immediately if suspected.
C – Cold, Clammy, or Bluish Skin
A – Asleep or Passed Out
N – Non-Responsive
S – Slow or Irregular Breathing
3. The risks to physical health are endless.
4. The risks to mental health are depressing.
Use Lock. Monitor. Take Back. to reduce risks for yourself and those around you.
- Lock: Keep all medications in a secure place.
- Monitor: Use medications as prescribed. Never share your medications.
- Take Back: Drop off unused medication at local Take Back locations. Our on campus location is at UND Student Health Pharmacy.
KNOW the resources
Campus Support for Students
- UND Student Health Services for medical assistance with the physical health aspects of prescription drug usage.
- UND Counseling Center for personalized assessment and support for the psychosocial aspects of prescription drug usage.
Helping a Friend or Loved One
Being prepared with a Naloxone prescription can be lifesaving in the event of an overdose. Who can get a Naloxone prescription? You. Learn more about getting a Naloxone prescription from the North Dakota Prevention Resource and Media Center. UND Student Health Pharmacy is equipped to prescribe Naloxone.
North Dakota Prevention Resource & Media Center
KNOW the policy
UND has a no tolerance policy for drug use. Students who violate the UND Code of Student Life or the UND Alcohol and Drugs Policy will be subject to the student conduct process. This could include eviction, parental notification, and loss of financial aid, even on a first offense. Involvement with prescription drugs outside of their prescribed use is felony activity.
North Dakota’s Good Samaritan Law (Medical Amnesty Act) will protect you if you call 911, follow instructions of the dispatcher, and wait for first responders to arrive.
Learn More
Request a presentation from the Peer Educators at Wellness & Health Promotion for more information on alcohol and other drugs.