Substance Abuse Prevention
The Counseling and Wellness Center provides confidential and non-judgmental support to students who want to talk about issues regarding alcohol or other substances. If your concern is for yourself, a roommate, or someone you care about, we can help. We offer referral options, sobriety and risk reduction support to anyone seeking positive change. We can help sort out any confusion you may have regarding the role substances may be playing in your life. We provide free voluntary services to all Western students and we coordinate enrollment in an evidence-based program that is part of the fulfillment of sanctions required by the University for students who have violated Western's alcohol and other drug policies.
Medical Amnesty Law
An alcohol or drug overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
The Medical Amnesty Law protects you and the person who needs help from being cited for underage drinking, so call 911 and save a life!
The Counseling and Wellness Center offers educational sessions on alcohol and cannabis use with a focus on harm reduction, social norming, effects on the body and mind, and resources for students who would like to address substance use concerns. These sessions are open to all students and meet requirements for Office of Student Life and Residence Life referrals.
Cannabis Workshop
In the cannabis workshop, participants will learn about:
- What cannabis is
- The effects of cannabis and how it works in the brain
- Common misperceptions
- Campus data on cannabis use
- Potential risks of cannabis use
- Harm reduction strategies
The cannabis workshops for spring quarter 2023 will be held April 14 and June 2, 3-4:30 PM in Old Main 435. Registration is required.
Alcohol Workshop
In the alcohol workshop, participants will learn about:
- Standard serving size
- Blood alcohol level/content
- The body's response to alcohol and tolerance
- Recognizing and responding to an alcohol emergency
- Harm reduction strategies
- Potential long-term academic and health risks
The alcohol workshops for spring quarter 2023 will be held April 21 and May 26, 3-4:30 PM in Old Main 435. Registration is required.
eCheckup To Go
The eCheckup To Go training is intended to help you increase your self-awareness, explore your options, and make informed choices, should you choose to use alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine. Western is deeply committed to the greatest health, well-being, and safety of all our students, and we hope you find the training valuable.
Recovery Support
Protect Our Waterways
Tossing and flushing prescription drugs puts harmful chemicals into
our water supply.
Prevent Misuse
Drug abuse and addiction can begin with the misuse of other people’s prescription drugs.
Save a Life
Prescription drug overdoses and suicide by prescription drugs
are preventable.
Prescription Drug Disposal Options
Order a Deterra pouch using the form below for safe home disposal OR drop off your medications to any one of the safe and secure drop-off locations in Bellingham:
- WWU Police Department
- Bellingham Police Department
- Hoagland Pharmacy
- All Rite-Aid locations
- Kaiser Pharmacy
- Whatcom County Health Dept
- Bellingham Public Library