Fatal flaws: Reflections on substance abuse at Chapman

Photo by Easton Clark, Photo Editor

Whether your knowledge about college and campus life comes from ‘80s movies or from attending a few parties, you would be safe to assume one thing: alcohol and drugs can be relatively prominent.

American Addiction Centers claimed in a 2022 study that almost 49% of full-time college students consume alcohol every month, with more than half of those students being binge-drinkers. The same study found that nearly 40% of students used marijuana, and that other substances like adderall, ecstasy and cocaine are consumed at notable levels.

While the study covered universities across America, many of the same substances have been used by Chapman students, both in the past and in the present. It’s a trend that Dani Smith, Chapman’s Alcohol and Drug Educator, has been working to teach students the dangers of.

“My role is not to tell you all what to do, but to give you the facts,” said Smith. “Abuse of alcohol is rampant around the world. I mean, it really impinges upon many people's health. Then with the use of illegal drugs, (it’s) the same thing.”

As part of her role, Smith conducts the Healthy Panther survey for incoming freshmen to gauge statistics concerning substance usage by the student population. 

Smith told The Panther about two trends she noticed in last year's surveys.

“(We) saw a significant reduction in the use of alcohol with males,” said Smith. “And sexual violence associated with alcohol, there was a reduction there.”

Smith said that one of the key reasons she believes that substances such as alcohol and marijuana are prominent on college campuses is because of the industries behind each substance.

“These are for-profit agencies,” said Smith. “So, (from) my experience, quite frankly, they don't care what this stuff does to people. They just want to sell their product and make a profit. And I believe we bought into that.”

While Smith plays a larger role in countering substance abuse on campus, the day-to-day work is often done by Resident Advisors (RA) in school housing. One RA, junior graphic design and psychology double major Xenia Diaz Castillo, spoke on her two years of experience in the position.

“Unfortunately, I have dealt with many alcohol incidents,” said Diaz Castillo.“I consider that underage drinking (happens) very often at Chapman. The most common (substance) is alcohol.”

Her colleague, creative writing major and sophomore Dehusa Pacheco, shared similar experiences, as well as elaborating on the frequency across different residential halls.

“Alcohol is the most commonly encountered one. I’ve heard that marijuana is the second most frequent, but I have yet to experience an incident involving it,” said Pacheco. “First-year buildings tend to have more due to the excitement among incoming freshmen about having ‘freedom to drink.’ This is a common occurrence, and every RA will face it at some point.”

While substance usage can be common across the general population at universities, one of the largest shares of that population can be in Greek Life. According to the Addiction Center, a Harvard study has found that four out of five fraternity and sorority members are binge drinkers, compared to just two out of five non-Greek Life college students.

While Chapman’s Greek Life organizations tend to be less fervent than those found at other universities, countering substance abuse is still a priority for Cole Murdoch, Chapman’s program manager of Fraternity and Sorority Life. 

“Substance misuse is a concern for many students, including those in Greek Life,” said Murdoch. “At Chapman, we conduct assessments of our fraternity and sorority community to better understand student perceptions and behaviors, and we use those insights to guide prevention, education and wellness initiatives. Combined with the unique structure of our community, these efforts help foster a healthier, more connected student experience.”

One of the most common events for substance abuse is hazing. The same Addiction Center article found that about 55% of students who join Greek life organizations, clubs or sports teams experience hazing, which has led to over 100 deaths in the U.S. since 2000. It’s why Chapman has instituted a complex campaign to counter hazing, which Murdoch explained.

“Chapman always tries to take a proactive approach to preventing hazing in our community. We host Hazing Prevention Week, require new-member education, train chapter leaders and provide clear reporting channels,” said Murdoch.

Substance abuse is a chronic disorder, and those afflicted may need help on the road to recovery. Chapman’s administration provides avenues for students who have experienced or are experiencing addiction, and may be looking for a way out of it.

“No student at Chapman has to navigate challenges alone. Whether it’s for yourself, a roommate or a friend, the Student Outreach and Support team is a helpful first step in connecting with the right resources and care,” said Murdoch. “Additionally, the institution has launched a new hazing prevention resource.”

Pacheco explained the counseling services available to those in need, as well as her commitment to aiding her residents.

“I believe that Psychological Services is a good first step in these situations. It’s essential for residents to feel heard and understood rather than judged,” she said. “I would advise anyone aware of someone struggling to help them get the support they need.” 

Diaz Castillo referenced Smith as a resource available to students.

Smith said she hosts a weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting on Sunday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Hashinger Science Center.

“I always think recovery groups (and) support groups are really helpful for individuals, and so we have those on campus,” said Smith.

Smith emphasized that her door is always open to students looking for help, and that those who have suffered from substance abuse deserve empathy and help wherever it may come from.

“Students are always welcome to come and chat with me if they want to. If I don't have the information at hand, then I'm going to send them to a reputable source that will be able to educate them or help them.”