Higher education has responded vigorously to alcohol-related problems. Nearly all U.S. colleges have policies on student alcohol use and increased awareness of high rates of “binge drinking” has led to the development of numerous prevention programs.
While 75 percent of college students gambled during the past year (whether legally or illegally, on campus or off), only 22 percent of U.S. colleges and universities have formal policies on gambling. Colleges can work to address gambling by integrating college gambling education and prevention efforts into existing programs about alcohol, drugs and other risky behaviors.
If your son’s or daughter’s institution currently has policies on gambling, you will most likely find information on the institution’s website, in the student handbook or by contacting the office of student affairs.
Currently, many colleges do not have policies in place to address gambling and are missing opportunities to inform students about the risks of excessive gambling and to provide recovery-oriented measures.
If your son’s or daughter’s institution does not have a gambling policy in place or does not provide resources for gambling disorders, you should encourage them to take action by calling or e-mailing your son’s or daughter’s school. While the appropriate contact may vary by school, you can start by contacting the dean of students, the office of student affairs or student health services.