Campus communities, seeking to deal with substance use, can draw on the experiences of human societies, both ancient and modern. Psychoactive substances have been used across the globe for thousands of years. Their potential to enhance human well-being has driven this use, but their potential for harm has also been widely recognized. The benefits and harms play out at both individual and various social levels.
In contemporary terms, this suggests campuses should consider “harm reduction” within a broader focus on “health promotion.” The quest for healthier relationships with substances is an appropriate and worthwhile endeavor both for those who use them and for those who do not. It provides a fitting framework within which to situate and carry out harm reduction. This guide is intended to identify initiatives campus communities may take to minimize harm associated with substance use, but also to indicate how a health promotion orientation can enrich those efforts.