MECHANICSVILLE – The Virginia Higher Education Substance Use Advisory Committee (VHESUAC) has recognized three Virginia institutions of higher learning for their commitment to furthering student substance use education, prevention, recovery and intervention efforts, including Radford University.
The annual VHESUAC Campus Recognition Program is designed to publicly recognize college and university campuses across the Commonwealth that are implementing the statewide initiatives outlined in the VHESUAC Strategic Plan. Recognition through this program demonstrates that the campus is committed to furthering student substance use education, prevention, recovery and intervention efforts.
Radford created “RU Aware,” an initiative to address substance use issues, foster personal responsibility and promote healthier decision-making among students. They also secured a grant from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority to hire an additional staff member and to fund campus events and scholarships.
“The negative consequences of substance misuse impact Virginia’s college students, their families and friends, and the community-at-large daily. Alcohol continues to remain the most used drug on college campuses,” said Chris Young, Adult Education and Prevention Coordinator at the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC). “The toll of misuse on the intellectual and social lives of students is enormous. Without partnerships and support at the local and state levels, colleges and universities have a limited capacity to address the problem of substance misuse.”
Longwood University is the first and only school to be recognized for three consecutive years. The Lancers are joined by Hampden-Sydney College and Radford University as 2025’s honorees.
At Longwood, the Student Government Association created prevention kits including Xylazine and Fentanyl test strips, drink testing strips and other harm reduction items. The university also co-hosted a human trafficking prevention event with the Virginia National Guard.
Hampden-Sydney supported a Belonging on the Hill (BOTH) committee, whose mission is to inspire academic excellence and lifelong learning among students. BOTH launched a coordinated campus system that utilizes evidence-based instruments for screening and providing brief intervention to students experiencing alcohol and other drug related problems.
Created by Virginia’s General Assembly in 2018, VHESUAC is comprised of representatives from public and private universities and colleges, student leaders, state agencies and statewide partners in substance misuse prevention appointed by the Virginia ABC Board. They collaborate to reduce college substance misuse and advocate for policies and practices at their universities that are science-based.
VHESUAC seeks to recognize as many campuses as possible in 2026 and encourages students, faculty and staff representing all campuses across the commonwealth to learn more about its program.
VHESUAC
