College days without the daze

By Susan Snyder

"The house, on a quiet street near Muhlenberg's campus, is overseen by CASE (Clean and Sober Environment), a nearly two-year-old student-initiated organization that includes students in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction and others who abstain..."

"Half of full-time college students, many of whom are younger than the legal drinking age of 21, binge drink or abuse prescription or illegal drugs, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. Almost one in four meets medical criteria for substance abuse and dependence, the group says..."

"The need for alternatives is seen at Muhlenberg's counseling center. Ten percent to 18 percent of students who seek help report alcohol or drug issues, said Anita Kelly, Muhlenberg's director of counseling. Once in counseling, more students reveal that they have a substance-abuse problem, raising the percentage to about 25, she said..."

Full article available at http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090201_College_days_without_the_d...