SEMINAR FOCUSES ON DRUG USAGE

A seminar titled "Drug Use on Campus" took place in the Rutgers Student
Center on the College Avenue campus Friday afternoon that focused on the
drug epidemic on-campus and University students' need for drug education.
In an effort to remedy the problem, small groups of University faculty and
students collaborated to generate possible remedies.

Panel members agreed a University-wide census of drug behavior is important
to gather statistics for drug regulation policies.

Most University students said they did not know the rules about getting
caught with or selling drugs, or underage drinking.

Michael Reyna, a Rutgers College junior, said, "Alcohol, marijuana and
ecstasy are the most popular drugs on campus, but cocaine is on the rise as
well." He said through his experiences working with the Hurtado Health
Center on the College Avenue campus, he has learned about the
overwhelmingly destructive power of cocaine.

Groups at the convention suggested the University provide alternative
activities to lure students away from substance abuse like a Big Brother
program.

Reyna said students are especially prone to increased drug intake when
pressure is highest -- like during exam week. The addictive nature of drugs
comes out at this time "because students use them to escape their
problems," Reyna said.

Hurtado offers free professional assessments for addiction counseling for
University students.

Students can also find information online. Several Alcoholics Anonymous and
Narcotics Anonymous groups meet every night in the area and are free of
charge. Recovery Rutgers also offers substance-free residence halls that
provide an alcohol- and drug-free atmosphere.