VSU Becomes First Virginia HBCU To Receive Substance Use Prevention Recognition

The University continues to set the standard for supporting student health and well-being.

Virginia State University is proud to announce that it has been recognized by the Virginia Higher Education Substance Use Advisory Committee (VHESUAC) for its commitment to furthering student substance use education, prevention, recovery, and intervention efforts. VSU is the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to earn this prestigious honor.

This recognition reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to addressing substance misuse on campus. The health and well-being of the Trojan community remain a top priority, and VSU will continue providing programs, resources, and initiatives to help students thrive during their time at the University and beyond.

Created by the Virginia 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 that are science-based.

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.

"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."

For more information on substance abuse resources available at Virginia State University, please visit https://www.vsu.edu/counseling/substance-abuse/.