INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

 
PARENTS MATTER!

Research demonstrates that parents are a strong influence in their child's life, even when their child becomes a college student.  Talking to your child has been shown to have a positive influence on reducing alcohol/drug use and related consequences.  Contrary to media portrayal, most students are working on positive lifestyle changes during their collegiate experience.  National college surveys have repeatedly documented that most college students nationwide stay safe and have fun when socializing, are free from fatalities of alcohol/drug use and are tobacco-free.* 

*Spring 2005 National College Health Assessment

**Fall 2004 Core survey

COLLEGE STUDENT HEALTH

In 2004, seven S.U.N.Y. colleges were awarded State Incentive Grant enhancements* to conduct social norms campaigns targeting students and young adults between the ages of 18-25. The campaigns focus on providing young adults accurate information about alcohol use versus perceived use, to correct misperceptions, increase knowledge and change attitudes about alcohol and drug use behaviors.  The campaign messages are based on information collected from surveys conducted on each campus and surrounding community.  For example at Finger Lakes Community College "Eight out of ten FLCC students stop at 3 or fewer drinks per week." (*)

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR STUDENT

Before your student enters college, or at any time, you can:

·       Convey your confidence in their ability to take responsibility for their health.

·         Discuss your expectations regarding alcohol/drug use and the college and community code of conduct and law enforcement policies.

·         Ask what your student plans to do on/off campus for fun and how they will avoid prohibited behaviors.

·         Refer your student to the college health office if they exhibit difficulty adjusting to college life, unexplained crying, bursts of anger or irritability, dramatic drop-off in academic performance, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, desire to avoid the company of others, use of alcohol/drugs to cope, disrupted sleep or other disturbing changes in behavior.

*State Incentive Grant Enhancement (SIG-E) from the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Prevention and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) CFDA# 93-243.  

(*)  A drink = one 12 oz. beer, one 4-5 oz. glass of wine,  or one drink with 1 1/4 oz. (shot) of whiskey.