Alcohol & Drug Education

The Alcohol & Drug Education Program advocates for a campus community that supports and empowers students to make healthy lifestyles choices thus fostering academic success and a safer and healthier campus community. Through peer education and collaboration with campus and community organizations, we provide outreach and support to empower students to make informed and responsible decisions throughout their lives.

Required Online Wellness Courses

At Saint Joseph's University, we believe in the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment for all members of our community. To that end, we invite all new students to complete three online course modules on important topics, including alcohol, other drugs, and the prevention of sexual misconduct.

Completion of these EVERFI courses are required for all new students. Failure to complete all three required courses will result in a hold on your student account.

Course information is emailed to each new first year and transfer student prior to the start of their first semester.

The Wellness, Alcohol & Drug Education Program provides the following services for the campus community:

• Resources and referrals for the entire campus community on wellness, alcohol and other drug issues including support for those in recovery
• Campus wide events and prevention programs including annual awareness weeks which are full of educational activities focused on a variety of wellness topics and often done in collaboration with Peer Educators or other students groups, departments and community resources
• Individual brief assessments around alcohol and drug use; to make an appointment with WADE for a brief assessment, email wade@sju.edu
• Group educational classes focused on low to no-risk choices around alcohol and other drug
• Connections to events occurring on and off campus that are fun and free
• Trainings and workshops for student groups about wellness, alcohol other drugs issues including violence
• Resources for Faculty including classroom support and guest lecturer options for topics related to wellness, alcohol and other drug issues including violence
• Resources for Parents including facts and tips on how to talk to your student about alcohol, drugs and healthy relationships.
• Continual evaluation of best practices in the field to ensure we are providing top notch services to our students. 

What do the Wellness Educators do on campus?

Wellness Educators provide the following services for the Saint Joseph's campus community in an effort to reduce high risk behavior:

Workshops

Interactive and engaging workshops for student groups or classes covering the intersection of alcohol and drug issues as they relate to all areas of wellness.

Campaigns

Awareness campaigns to educate the campus such as The Fine Line Between Abuse and Addiction display or the #hawksforhawks social media campaign.

Events

In collaboration with other students organizations, Wellness Educators put on the Wellness Fair, Love Your Body Fair, Black Out Day, and more each year.

Reach out to collaborate for an upcoming event!

Directions to Complete the eCHECKUP TO GO - Online Alcohol Assessment

It is important to read the below directions in their entirety prior to beginning your assessment to avoid needing to re-complete the program.

1. Go to the e-CHECK UP TO GO link and select the box “Start a new eCHECKUP TO GO”
2. Complete the assessment by reflecting on your behavior and attitudes.  Be honest; your answers are anonymous and confidential. 
3. When you reach the end of the assessment you will have the opportunity the "Check for Errors" If you log-out or close your browser before clicking "Submit" your information will not be recorded and you may have to re-complete the program.
4. After hitting submit, you will receive your User Identification Number (UID).  Screenshot or write that number down!  That is the only way we will be able to review your responses and verify completion.
5. eCHECK UP To GO will provide feedback based on your responses.  Take time to review the feedback and reflect on what interests you.

Additional considerations:

• If this is a required assessment as part of an individual appointment, you will provide the User ID number to a Student Support and Well-being staff member during your second meeting.  Together, you will review the feedback you received.
• If this is a required assessment as a prerequisite to your Group or Team Presentation, you will need to first – look to see what WADE Presentation Number you were given in your emailed instructions. You MUST enter that presentation number into the drop down box during the demographics section! This is critical to be part of your group’s presentation. Once the survey is completed, you should save, print or take a screen shot of the completion page at the end as proof of completion. You might need to show this to the leader of your group. Your individual responses, user ID number, or feedback is not included in this proof of completion page.

Now that you have read the instructions, complete your e CHECK UP TO GO assessment here or copy and paste the following into your web browser: https://echeckup.sdsu.edu/usa/alc/coll/SJU/#!/

If you have any questions, call the Office of Student Support and Well-being at 610-660-3462 or email sos@sju.edu

Required to attend an educational class?

The classes offered through SO&S are open to anyone. If you would like to attend, or if you are required to attend as part of a sanction through Community Standards or Residence Life, you can register for the classes below.

Impact Class

IMPACT Class: This one hour workshop is designed to assist each participant in reflecting on the impact of their choices and behaviors on themselves, their peers and their community. IMPACT utilizes a harm reduction approach in addressing alcohol concerns and provides participants with numerous effective strategies to reduce the risks associated with alcohol for the safety of the entire community.

Register for an IMPACT Class

Note: Although all are welcome to attend this class, arriving late is not acceptable. It is important to be a part of the group from start to finish to gain a full understanding of the topic. Please arrive on time or you will not be allowed into the class.

Influence Class

Influence Class: is an hour long interactive class is designed to discuss the influence of our communities and our peers on our view of Cannabis.

Register for an INFLUENCE Class 

Note: Although all are welcome to attend this class, arriving late is not acceptable. It is important to be a part of the group from start to finish to gain a full understanding of the topic. Please arrive on time or you will not be allowed into the class.

The Biennial Review is required by the The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) to certify that institutions of higher education have implemented programs to prevent the abuse of alcohol or use of illicit drugs on their campus. Saint Joseph's University recognizes its responsibility to not only conduct and complete a review but also report findings and utilize the results to improve the work executed for our campus community.

Saint Joseph’s University has conducted an evaluation of its Drug Free Schools Program. The Drug Free Schools & Community Act Biennial Review can be found via the links below:

Biennial Review 2020-2022

Biennial Review 2016-2018

Biennial Review 2018-2020

Archived USciences Biennial Review 2019-2021

The Office of Student Support & Well-being is ready to assist students who would like to quit smoking or vaping.

One-on-one meetings: Students can request an individual meeting with a Student Support and Well-being staff member. During this meeting, the student will be able to share what current use looks like and discuss strategies to implement change. Students can email sos@sju.edu or call 610-660-3462 to set up an appointment.

This is Quitting - A text-based program that has assisted almost 400,000 youth and young adults quit vaping.

Nicotine-Anonymous - For those who would like the support of a group environment on their pathway to quitting, Nicotine-Anonymous offers meetings in virtual, telephone and in-person formats.

Smokefree Text Messaging Program - Smokefree.gov offers text-based programs that offer advice and tips for becoming smoke-free. You can also practice quitting and participate in daily challenges.

Pennsylvania Quitline - Students can work with a coach to determine the best plan for quitting and access to community resources.  The Quitline will also ship Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, lozenges, or gum) directly to your mailbox!

MyQuit - Helps you stay motivated with advice, tips, and coupons for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, lozenges, or gum) to your email.

We want to support you in this choice towards a healthier you and living out the Jesuit value of cura personalis.

Remember when quitting nicotine and tobacco products:

1. Plan and prepare - set a quit date
2. Reach out for support
3. Try new hobbies or wellness activities - like Campus Recreation or follow @sju_caps on Instagram for their mindfulness programming opportunities.
4. Smoking cessation products are available
5. Difficult situations or a recurrence of use are common. The most important thing is to give yourself compassion and reach back out to your resources. We are here to support you.

This training will help participants understand the impact of society’s stigma of substance use disorders (SUD) and learn about inclusive language, the most up-to-date definitions of SUD, as well as causes and treatment options available. Through engaging activities and discussion, participants will gain the skills and confidence needed to provide support and a safe environment to anyone impacted by a substance use disorder.

Join over 200 Allies who have been trained. 

Spring 2022 Training Dates:

In-person Training - Campion Student Center, North Lounge

Tuesday, January 25 - 11 AM-1 PM

Tuesday, March 22 - 11 AM - 1 PM

Zoom Training - Link will be sent 24 hours before event

Monday, February 7 - 5 PM - 7 PM

Wednesday, April 13 - 5 PM - 7 PM

Register here.

Faculty, staff, and student organizations can request an Allies of Recovery Training here.

There are many resources available on campus and in the surrounding communities for students who are in recovery, including SJU's Collegiate Recovery Program. 

View Resources