Kent State’s Drug Abuse and Alcohol Prevention Program provides resources to students with addiction.

The multifaceted program is sent annually to students, faculty and staff by the Division of Student Affairs, as mandated by Title IV, to notify where help for addiction is available on and off campus.

“In meeting students where they’re at, there isn’t one portal,” said Todd Kamenash, the associate dean for conduct and community engagement. “It’s a number of different facets that we can attempt to reach.”

A part of this approach is having multiple avenues for students abusing drugs and alcohol to receive treatment. On campus that begins with Counseling and Psychological Services, which has clinicians who specialize in addiction. CAPS’ services are available to all Kent State students, including those attending regional campuses.

If a person does not feel comfortable reaching out for help on campus, the university provides a list of services throughout Portage County. Townhall II, Coleman Health Services and Family and Community Services operate to serve students.

Not everyone facing an alcohol or drug abuse problem may feel confident enough to seek help, often due to the stigma around addiction or fear of punishment from the university. Kamenash said that should not act as a barrier to students.

“We don’t want to label a person to make them feel like they’re less than in any way,” he said. “We want them empowered to feel like they have the choice until they provide us with no other option to make us put them into that situation and the most we can ever do is introduce a person to things.”

Still, there are situations where the Office of Student Conduct has to act. In the 2021-2022 academic year, there were 108 alcohol and other illicit drugs violations referred to the office. Often, these cases result in the student taking alcohol or drug awareness workshops.

Addiction prevention, Kamenash said, is a community effort to ensure students are as healthy and safe as possible.

“We will never be able to have enough outreach,” he said. “We’ll continue to find ways to enhance accessibility, and we’re continuing to provide this network of folks who can alert us if there’s a student with a concern.”

Alton Northup is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].