Senator Hassan Introduces Legislation to Help Colleges Address Substance Misuse Crisis

Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act Would Create a New Substance Misuse Prevention and Treatment Grant Program

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan joined Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) in introducing legislation this week that would help prevent substance misuse on college campuses and connect students with treatment options.

The Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act would create a new grant program that colleges and universities could use to implement tailored plans to prevent and treat substance misuse on campus. The grant program would be jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and could be used to fund prevention efforts and recovery services, including sober living dorms and mental health counseling. The bill sets aside 25 percent of grant funding for colleges and universities in rural areas.

“Ensuring that our young people have the opportunity to learn in a safe and healthy environment is critical to preparing them for success in the 21^st century innovation economy,” Senator Hassan said. “As part of those efforts, we must ensure that our college and university campuses have the support and resources they need to address the substance misuse crisis that is devastating communities across our state and impacting Granite Staters from all walks of life. The Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act is critical to preventing substance misuse on college campuses and ensuring that higher education institutions have what they need to get students struggling with addiction the treatment and recovery services necessary to get their lives back on track.”

“Supporting the health and safety of students at all of our New Hampshire institutions is always first and foremost,” said Chair of the New Hampshire College & University Council and Chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire Todd Leach. “New Hampshire’s opioid epidemic has impacted families across our state and we want to ensure that the well-being of all of our students is protected and supported.”

More than one-third of college students engage regularly in binge drinking and one in five students use illegal drugs according to a study by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

For more information on the bill, click here.  

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