Schools offer 'clean' living
Zohaib Ahmad
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: News
Some colleges in the area, including the University of Pennsylvania, have implemented "healthy living" houses, areas for students looking for a drug- and alcohol-free place to live.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, colleges such as Rutgers University and Muhlenberg College have already implemented these houses on their campuses.
"Healthy living" houses are used for students who are recovering from substance addictions.
"It's something under consideration [at Drexel University]," John Watson, director of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education, said. "It's in the talking stage."
However, according to Watson, this does not mean that all alcohol would be banned.
"There is something different from no alcohol allowed and a sober living environment," Watson said.
Drexel University policy states that nobody under the age of 21 is allowed to have alcohol in the dormitories. Dormitory residents are also prohibited from having drugs in the rooms.
According to Watson, such rooms on Drexel's campus would be a sober living space for students in recovery. These "healthy living houses" would most likely be designated to a floor or a wing at a residence hall.
"It's more than a physical space with no drop of alcohol. It's a physical space for sober living for students to retain recovery with counseling provided on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and group meetings," Watson said.
Tim Hanson, a freshman mechanical engineering major at Drexel University, commented on the practicality of the program. "I think it's a great idea for recovering addicts, but it's impractical because it requires more funding to stop substances bleeding from areas around the dorm."
According to Watson, the challenge lies in trying to have people admit they are in recovery.
"Most people in recovery don't want to come out and say they are in recovery," Watson said.
Therefore, these dorms would not be publicly identified as intended for students in recovery.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, colleges such as Rutgers University and Muhlenberg College have already implemented these houses on their campuses.
"Healthy living" houses are used for students who are recovering from substance addictions.
"It's something under consideration [at Drexel University]," John Watson, director of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education, said. "It's in the talking stage."
However, according to Watson, this does not mean that all alcohol would be banned.
"There is something different from no alcohol allowed and a sober living environment," Watson said.
Drexel University policy states that nobody under the age of 21 is allowed to have alcohol in the dormitories. Dormitory residents are also prohibited from having drugs in the rooms.
According to Watson, such rooms on Drexel's campus would be a sober living space for students in recovery. These "healthy living houses" would most likely be designated to a floor or a wing at a residence hall.
"It's more than a physical space with no drop of alcohol. It's a physical space for sober living for students to retain recovery with counseling provided on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and group meetings," Watson said.
Tim Hanson, a freshman mechanical engineering major at Drexel University, commented on the practicality of the program. "I think it's a great idea for recovering addicts, but it's impractical because it requires more funding to stop substances bleeding from areas around the dorm."
According to Watson, the challenge lies in trying to have people admit they are in recovery.
"Most people in recovery don't want to come out and say they are in recovery," Watson said.
Therefore, these dorms would not be publicly identified as intended for students in recovery.
is a member of the 
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
phil
posted 4/07/09 @ 2:19 AM EST
a great way to have a clean and sober dorm that support recovrey is have it in a space totally outside dorms and just make it for all those who want that enviornment. (Continued…)
Post a Comment