The Oakland University Substance Abuse Program is a comprehensive state-licensed prevention program. The program has three prongs:
- Prevention through education, presentations and workshops
- Identification and early intervention with "at risk" subgroups
- Training and consulting with faculty, staff and university decision-makers.
- The Counseling Center provides expertise and leadership to address the specific needs of subgroups identified by needs assessment activities and other research as being "at risk." First time violators of the University's alcohol and marijuana policy attend an educational program and must demonstrate a specified level of awareness following completion.
Campus-wide education and prevention efforts take the form of dissemination of information to the entire university community through campus-wide surveys, newspaper articles, brochures and other written material. Specialized presentations and workshops designed for particular subgroups are an important prevention tool.
The Counseling Center also provides thorough alcohol and substance abuse assessments. These assessments are designed to help each student best understand and evaluate the sometimes confusing and mixed feelings one may have regarding their substance use and their relationship to that substance. We help each student carefully and honestly determine the direction and choices that are best for them, and help provide the assistance and support that may be needed. We can also provide referrals to off-campus treatment and self-helps groups when appropriate and in collaboration with the student.