Utah Gets $2.25 Million Grant to Combat College Substance Abuse

The Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) received a $2.25 million grant from the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) to help reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among 18-25 year-old college students throughout the state.

 

Presidents of Utah's institutions of higher education, including Utah State's Kermit L. Hall, united to sign a "Presidents' Statement of Commitment" in support of the grant and campus-based substance abuse prevention efforts.

 

"We hereby express our support for the ongoing statewide initiative to reduce the abuse of alcohol and other drugs on Utah's higher education campuses," the presidents' statement begins. "We support efforts to encourage academic achievement, a healthy campus environment, and healthy lifestyles for individual members of the campus community. Strategies to address substance abuse on campus will continue to incorporate problem assessment, science-based programs, measurable goals, and a collaborative effort between campus, community, and state partners."

 

The grant will promote development of strategies based on scientific research — a new emphasis in the field of prevention.

 

Utah State University will receive $210,400 from the grant. Funding is based on a school's enrollment and an earlier survey and participation.