199. Drug Prevention in College | Rich Lucey and Erin Ficker199. Drug Prevention in College | Rich Lucey and Erin Ficker
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
College is a special time in a young person's life. It is a time of personal growth and learning. It is often the first time to live alone away from home. Freedom. Yet colleges pride themselves as being a top party school, like a badge of honor. Responsibility. While on spring break, 22 year old Riley Strain died because of such partying. His alcohol level was 0.228% and his THC level was over 50mg/ml, higher than the machines even test for. May his memory be a blessing for his family. May no other college students have such party experiences. Rich Lucey has more than three decades of experience at the state and federal government levels working to prevent alcohol and drug use and misuse among youth and young adults, especially college students. He currently serves as a senior prevention program manager in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section. Rich plans and executes educational and public information programs, evaluates program goals and outcomes, and serves as an advisor to the Section Chief and other DEA officials on drug misuse prevention and education programs. Rich formerly served as special assistant to the director for the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and worked as an education program specialist in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. Erin Ficker is an expert in substance misuse prevention, an accomplished training and technical assistance (T/TA) provider and a certified senior prevention specialist. She brings extensive expertise in supporting, designing, and delivering engaging professional learning, and providing comprehensive T/TA for states and community level prevention professionals. For over 18 years, she has built the capacity of clients to perform prevention work effectively using the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). She has in-depth knowledge and training experience in the SPF process, including specific work in evaluation, sustainability, assessment, and working with diverse populations. Erin currently serves as a regional director in SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) working to provide training and technical assistance to SAMHSA state and community grantees across HHS Regions 5 and 8. She also serves as a prevention manager for the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) providing services to a wide range of prevention and behavioral health specialists. Erin holds an MPA in Domestic and Social Policy from the University of Texas-Austin and a BA in Sociology from The Evergreen State College. She also holds a certification as a Senior Prevention Specialist through the Illinois Certification Board. www.DEA.GOV/onepill CampusDrugPrevention.gov https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov
1:19:48•14 Oct 2024
Preventing Substance Misuse in College: Strategies and Stories
Episode Overview
- College campuses face significant challenges with substance misuse.
- Primary prevention is crucial but often overlooked.
- Effective strategies involve all campus stakeholders.
- Social norms campaigns can help change perceptions and behaviours.
- Comprehensive approaches are necessary for long-term success.
“It's never a here's the data, period. It's here's the data, comma, and what we're going to do about it”
College is often seen as a time for growth, learning, and, unfortunately, partying. In this episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction', Dr. Roneet Lev dives into the crucial topic of drug and alcohol prevention on college campuses. Joined by experts Rich Lucey from the DEA and Erin Ficker from SAMHSA, they explore the strategies and challenges of curbing substance misuse among students.
The tragic story of Riley Strain, a student who lost his life due to excessive alcohol and marijuana use, sets a poignant backdrop for the discussion. Rich and Erin share their journeys into prevention work, highlighting the importance of primary prevention and the need for a balanced approach to tackling substance misuse. They emphasise that effective prevention requires a comprehensive strategy involving all campus stakeholders—from health centres to athletic departments.
The episode also touches on innovative methods like social norms campaigns and alternative activities to reduce high-risk drinking and drug use. With a blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, this episode offers valuable information for anyone concerned about the well-being of college students. If you're looking to understand how to make college campuses safer and healthier, this episode is a must-listen.
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