Efforts at prevention of alcohol and other drug problems are often limited
to elementary and secondary students, but students in the postsecondary
setting also need and can benefit from prevention strategies. Current
research shows alcohol and other drugs to be a major problem on
postsecondary campuses despite the fact that the purchase and use of
alcohol is illegal for many college students and on most campuses.
Resilience research shows that promoting positive youth development is an
effective means of preventing a variety of problems, including problems
with alcohol and other drugs. Deaf students in the postsecondary setting
often fall behind in the development process of making connections to
healthy people, places, ideas and interests. This paper looks at strategies
which can be used in the postsecondary setting to help Deaf and hard of
hearing students be prepared to deal with alcohol/drugs and thus be
successful in their educational efforts. In addition, institutional
policies and practices will be suggested that support a healthy way of life
for Deaf postsecondary students.