WT to Offer On-Campus System for Students Recovering from Substance Abuse

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M University will launch a new, on-campus support system for students in recovery from substance use disorders.

Beginning this fall, Buff CARES-or College Addiction Recovery, Education and Support-will provide a dedicated staff person, weekly meetings, counseling sessions and other support for students facing addiction issues. They also will live in a dedicated wing of Guenther Hall on WT's Canyon campus.

"Building a community of support for students in recovery is vital to the student's academic success, but most importantly, it is vital to their success in life," said Dr. Holly Jeffreys, dean of WT's College of Nursing and Health Sciences, which will administer the Buff CARES program.

"Recovery can be a lifelong journey, and we believe we are laying a foundation that offers students the best opportunity to continue their recovery journey in a safe and supported environment, breaking the cycle of addiction for themselves as well as future generations," Jeffreys said.

The program-part of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education program-will launch with 10 students, with plans to grow over coming years.

Philanthropic support for the first year of the program has been secured, and ongoing fundraising will ensure the long-term viability of the program.

About 200 similar programs exist among other U.S. colleges and universities.

Studies show that young adults between the ages of 18 to 25 have higher rates of illicit drug use and substance use disorders, but that only about a third of young people receive appropriate aftercare and not enough are able to find recovery-focused social environments.

"I have said, and I truly mean it, that we want any student at WT who wants to come here to study and prepare themselves for engaged citizenship in their families, communities and professions," said WT President Walter V. Wendler. "People in recovery for a year or more have proven their willingness to focus and work hard. If a WT education can help a student in their recovery and with improving their life, why would we not welcome them with open arms? We care about students and their families. Buff CARES provides another opportunity for WT to make a difference."

Students must be in recovery for a year to qualify. To remain in the program, they must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and attend counseling sessions and weekly addiction support meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

Key features of the program include wellness activities like yoga or meditation; academic support including tutoring, mentoring and other resources; sober social events and activities; and referrals to on-campus and community resources for additional support.

Students participating in such collegiate recovery programs have only a 7 percent relapse rate, compared to a national relapse rate of 70 percent. National studies also show that students in recovery maintain a higher GPA than students in the general population.

Only three other universities in Texas currently offer an on-campus housing component with their recovery programs. Students in recovery who live on campus have the opportunity to fully participate in University life, and they can set a positive example for their fellow students.

While universities, including WT, frequently focus on prevention and treatment of substance abuse, fewer provide recovery and relapse support.

WT's Division of Student Affairs offers assessment and screening for substance use disorders, as well as referral to inpatient or outpatient treatment. Individual counseling sessions for associated problems like anxiety and depression also are offered.

Putting people first is one of the key principles of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign's new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised nearly $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men's and women's athletics programs.

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