Tucked away in 210 Old Main is a resource some students may not know about.
Shippensburg University offers Drug and Alcohol Services and the Connection Program as a helping hand to students.
The program includes Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS), which every student who comes to the program goes through. It also has Early Intervention Group (EIG), which is a psycho-educational group at which students can talk about what has happened to them.
Students can self-refer or make appointments to find ways to help their friends.
The Drug and Alcohol Services also uses outside sources to give more help to students. The Connection Program offers a drug and alcohol professional, who can determine if the student needs more therapy or out-patient care.
“We help students navigate what is a good fit for them and what they need,” said Ann Wendle, assistant dean of students and director of the Connection Program and Drug and Alcohol Services.
Drug and Alcohol Services also puts on activities and events, such as working with Party House, Casino Night and Mocktails. Services also help with activities in the residence halls, like Mario Kart with vision impairment goggles and a shot counter.
“We are moving away from passive education and toward more interactive education,” Wendle said. “When a student comes in we talk about making things real life and less lecture program.”
Wendle and others in the Drug and Alcohol Services work closely with the courts for students who have been charged with driving under the influence. However, they want students to realize that they are not here to get students in trouble.
“We are here. We are approachable, and we aren’t just here when people get into trouble,”Wendle said.
If students want to make an appointment they can call the office at (717) 477-1536 or email Wendle at aewendle@ship.edu.
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