Alcohol & Other Drugs
Our programs work to reduce harmful consequences of alcohol and other drug use. We work to support students and trainees in achieving personal and academic potential. Read on to learn about alcohol and other drug-related health concerns, educational initiatives, and environmental strategies. Alcohol and Other Drug Educator. Jay Blake is the confidential resource for alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis-related concerns. Using motivational interviewing, she creates a judgement-free space to help people know more about the role those substances play in their lives and what information they need or goals they can set for themselves if necessary.
For additional reading on the impacts of substance use disorder, click here.
To read more about the research being done at JHU on cannabis, click here.
Alcohol & Drug Programs and Services
Blue Jays in the Blue Zone
Alcohol Orientation is required for all first-year students and introduces new Blue Jays to the “Blue Zone.” This is the level of alcohol use where there are fewer negative aspects, considered a BAC between 0.000 and 0.055. Our programming is designed to help students and trainees who choose to drink to reduce harm and maximize safety resources, and to support students who choose not to drink in their decision.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
All information within the MI session is kept private between the student and the facilitator. However, if the student indicates that they may harm themselves or others, or talks about an event reportable to The Clery Act, information may be disclosed as appropriate. The only information shared with the referral source is whether the student completed the program by the assigned date. When you have your meeting, your MI facilitator will go over this in more detail.
Online Resources
- Alcohol e-CHECKUP TO GO, an online, personalized, brief screening tool for alcohol use
- Cannabis e-CHECKUP TO GO, an online, personalized, brief screening tool for cannabis use
Opioid Education
The opioid epidemic impacts all people regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, education level, socio-economic status, or affiliation of any kind. In response to this crisis and Maryland state legislation, JHU has developed a training on this topic, which aims to ensure our community is informed and aware of the extent of the epidemic, and is equipped to obtain support for friends, family members, classmates, and ourselves. All learners can find the training in myLearning, which can be accessed by logging into my.JH and either clicking on “My Plan” or searching for Opioid Awareness in the search bar. Please contact Jamelia Blake, Alcohol and Drug Education Specialist, if you need assistance.
Peer Health Education
The Maryland Collaborative
Johns Hopkins is a member of the The Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking and Related Problems, which brings together Maryland colleges to address the problem of excessive drinking and its consequences on their campuses and in their communities. College student drinking problems exact enormous social and economic costs for families, friends, and the community-at-large, including assaults, injuries, drunk driving, alcohol abuse and dependency, and death. Initiatives with the Maryland Collaborative include:
- The Maryland College Alcohol Survey (Annually in February)
- Evidence-based campaigns around substance use
- Environmental approaches to reduce the harms of alcohol and cannabis in our communities such as policies and laws