SUNY Oswego offers Recovery Ally Training to all interested students, faculty and staff as one resource of many in the pursuit to educate the community about alcohol and drug use on campus.

Recovery Ally Training, according to Trisha DeWolf, the alcohol and other drug program coordinator, is a short process that “empowers participants to learn how to support people in recovery from substance use disorders.” The program is one way DeWolf is attempting to educate students about substance use at SUNY Oswego and she said her goal is not to shame those who use alcohol or drugs, but give them the tools to make an informed decision before participating.

“Students are adults, they can make their own decisions,” DeWolf said. “But I want them to have accurate information first.”

As alcohol and other drug program coordinator, DeWolf has many roles, such as working with students, meeting with faculty, staff, Greek life and athletics to discuss substance use issues, organizing programs and educational events, acting as a liaison for students who need recovery options off campus and more.

More recently, DeWolf has started the conversation of creating a substance-free housing option for students who live on campus. She said that though some buildings like Johnson Hall, which is the freshman-only dorm, should be drug and alcohol free because all the residents are underage.

“We don’t have a specific residence hall that is marketed as alcohol and drug free, but I think most students would know what halls have less substance [use],” DeWolf said. “Students talk, there are areas of campus that are known for more alcohol or drug use and moving forward I would love to see [substance free housing] as an option for students.”

DeWolf explained that for those who do not want to be surrounded by substance use, it is best to talk to other students or peer leaders because they know the dorms better than faculty or staff.

“Talking to other students is going to give them some insight on how SUNY Oswego is,” DeWolf said. “It’s best to come from other students, not necessarily me”

More recently, DeWolf said she has heard from students that the use of cannabis products on campus has become more apparent, though she has not seen a rise in students breaking conduct. Because New York State legalized recreational marijuana in March 2021, DeWolf has more focus on educating students who are of age on different types and uses of the substance.

“Generally, when you tell someone not to do something, it’s not the best tactic,” DeWolf said. “We focus a lot on making sure students have the correct information, so they aren’t getting [inaccurate] information and they know safer ways to not only partake in cannabis [use], but with other substances too.”

DeWolf also wanted to stress that even though New York passed the law, using cannabis products on campus are still not permitted, partially because SUNY Oswego receives grants from the federal government.

“We almost have two arms to this,” DeWolf said. “It’s illegal federally, so we’re not supposed to have it on campus, and then the other part of it is it violates our smoke and tobacco policy.”

In April 2021, SUNY sent out informational posters for colleges in the system to remind students that the laws about marijuana use on campuses had not changed. The posters had phrases like “Weed out the truth” and encouraged students to do thorough research before deciding to use, which aligned with the message DeWolf is trying to relay.

“We still need to educate students,” DeWolf said. “We need to educate them about things like cannabis concentrate, edibles, and how there are differences between those and regular smoking. We try to put out some educational harm reduction-based information for students so they can make the best decision.”

Due to COVID-19, DeWolf said all the educational programs she organized had to be online, which limited student attendance. With restrictions loosening on campus, DeWolf is hopeful that events will be able to be fully in-person and will be able to better serve students.

For more information about Recovery Ally Training or about substance use on campus, contact DeWolf at trisha.dewolf@oswego.edu. 

Image via SUNY Oswego