Methods for Assessing College Student Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs

If they are to develop effective programs and policies to reduce alcohol- and other drug-related (AOD) problems on campus, college and university officials must understand the nature and extent of these problems at their institution. Administrators can achieve this understanding only if they have credible data on patterns of student substance use and related risk behavior. This guide offers a straightforward method for gathering and reporting student survey data on substance use-related problems. Among the areas covered are obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and administering mail and online surveys. The guide will be of particular interest to program directors for AOD prevention programs on campus, or to members of a campus-based task force or campus and community coalition that is charged with assessing the need for new prevention programs and policies. Although this guide focuses on AOD, much of this guidance also is applicable to assessment of problems related to campus violence.