Establish substance-free residence halls
Under this strategy, a campus bans the possession and consumption of all substances within its residence halls. (Note: Strategy does not seek to reduce alcohol availability, one of the most effective ways to decrease alcohol use and its consequences.)
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Effectiveness: X = Too few robust studies to rate effectiveness—or mixed results
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Cost: $ = Lower
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Research Amount: ** = 2 to 4 studies but no longitudinal studies
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Public Health Reach: Focused
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Staffing Expertise Needed: Policy advocate
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Target Population: All students
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Research Population: College
Effectiveness ratings are based on estimated success in achieving targeted outcomes. Cost ratings are based on a consensus among research team members of the relative program and staff costs for adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a strategy. Actual costs will vary by institution, depending on size, existing programs, and other campus and community factors. Barriers to implementing a strategy include cost and opposition, among other factors. Public health reach refers to the number of students that a strategy affects. Strategies with a broad reach affect all students or a large group of students (e.g., all underage students); strategies with a focused reach affect individuals or small groups of students (e.g., sanctioned students). Research amount/quality refers to the number and design of studies.
- Odo J, McQuiller L, & Stretesky P. An empirical assessment of the impact of RIT’s student alcohol policy on drinking and binge drinking behavior. Journal of Alcohol & Drug Education, 44(3):49–67, 1999.
- Wechsler H, Lee JE, Nelson TF, & Kuo M. Underage college students' drinking behavior, access to alcohol, and the influence of deterrence policies. Findings from the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study. Journal of American College Health, 50(5):223–36, 2002.
- Wechsler H, Lee JE, Nelson TF, & Lee H. Drinking levels, alcohol problems and secondhand effects in substance-free college residences: Results of a national study. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62(1):23–31, 2001.
- Williams J, Pacula R, Chaloupka F, & Wechsler H. Alcohol and marijuana use among college students: Economic complements or substitutes? Health Economics, 13(9):825–43, 2004.
References from 2019 update
None
Resources identified only for strategies rated effective.
