A. Be a positive role model. Once you are an R.A. everyone knows it and you carry the R.A. position with you where ever you go, not just in your hall. If you're underage, the bottom line is don't drink. It's impossible to write someone up for an alcohol violation when they saw you drinking at a party "just the other night."  And you better believe they will point this out to you. If you're of age, avoid the underage scene. Even though I'm in a sorority, I really try to avoid fraternity parties and this is where all my friends are. Stick with the bars where it's legal when you want to go out and have a good time.
Leigh Ann Lorusso - University of Wisconsin at Whitewater

A. BE AROUND. Let your residents know that you are around. Offer them fun programs as alternatives to theses substances. If they have a problem, be sensitive to that, and tell the resident where he/she can get help.
Jennifer Anderson - Southern Methodist University

A. Be non-judgemental and open to anyone that may have issues. and have resources available for anyone who needs them. think of alternatives to drinking and using drugs.
UC Davis

A. Alcohol and drug abuse is a very a difficult topic for RA's to deal with. If there is one area in which RA's need more training this is probably the one. Alcohol and drug abuse can be hard to detect. If and when it is detected, confronting the person about the problem can be even more difficult. However, there are some warning signs that an RA can look for if he/she suspects that a resident might be having trouble with drugs and/or alcohol. Here are some warning signs that I was tought during my time as an RA.

Does a resident have sparce class attendance, withdraws from social activity, is not doing well in school, etc.? These could be a sign of alcohol and/or drug abuse. However, if you notice any of these occuring with a particular resident don't jump to conclusions at first. I think the best thing to do is to talk to your immediate supervisor about what you have observed. Also, keep an eye on the person, notice if he/she goes out to parties where a lot of alcohol/drugs is involved, visit the persons room to carry on a casual conversation (don't mention any suspicions that you might have), etc.

Does a resident consistently get into trouble with alcohol?

Has a resident ever been caught with a large collection of alcoholic beverage bottles (often called a shrine) or any other items that might indicate a large amount of alcohol consumption? Shrines are usually illegal to have in campus housing facilities and should be documented.

Has a resident been caught with illegal drugs? If severe enough this will usually result in university suspension.

These are just some warning signs that I have come across in the past. I would like to mention that any of these indicators alone might not indicate an immediate problem, however, a culmination of several warning signs should strike attention. As I mentioned earlier, if you notice any of these the best thing to do is to discuss it with your immediate supervisor. They usually have more training and experience in handling these situations. The next step would be to work with your supervisor to get help for the person if a problem really does exist.

There are numerous resource on campus that can help people with alcohol and drug problems (counseling center for example).

One last point that I would like to make is that it seems alcohol abuse on college campuses today is on the rise. Many college students engage in a dangerous form of alcohol consumption called binge drinking. As a result, more emphasis has been directed at educating students about the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. RA's are a direct link to residents, therefore, they should play an important role in the educational process.
Eric Honeycutt - North Carolina State University

A. With something that's as serious as an apparent addiction, I think it's crucial to get the person help--regardless of how you do it, you need to be sure that you're getting medical attention for the resident if it's necessary, and any other help that the resident might need.  In general, I think the most effective mechanism for an RA to use to combat problems like under-age drinking and drug use is to be a role model. This of course means not smoking pot in your room, not drinking if you're under 21, and if you're over 21, role-modeling responsible drinking behavior--don't let your residents see you falling-down drunk, and don't go to parties where you know there will be underage drinking. I also think that there are some very effective programs put on campus-wide that address this topic and could be put to some good use in the halls.
Amber Benoit - Colorado State University

A. It is not the laws or the policies that are most important to discuss, but the concren for the well being of the individuals using alcohol or drugs.  Admit you are concerned, and to prevent further trouble or harm to themselves, your intervention is needed. Instill that you do not want anyone to have to get in trouble, but to think responsibly about drugs and alcohol. Finally remember their choice to violate a policy is a choice - it is not who they are, likewise their response to you is a response to their lack of respect for policy - not personal.
Michael Wilde - Concordia College

Back to RA Advice
Related topics:
Confronting Negative Behavior