Longwood honored statewide for ongoing leadership in substance use prevention

"This recognition reflects Longwood's ongoing commitment to creating a healthy, supportive campus where prevention, education and care go hand in hand," said Cameron Patterson '10 M.S. '17, vice president for student affairs and senior partner for strategic initiatives at Moton Museum. "Being recognized for a third consecutive year speaks to the dedication of our students, faculty and staff who work every day to support student well-being."

At Longwood, the Student Government Association created prevention kits including Xylazine and Fentanyl test strips, drink testing strips and other harm reduction items. Last year, the university hosted an "It Only Takes One" fentanyl awareness event aimed at educating students on the dangers of fentanyl and methods of prevention and emergency treatment in the event of an overdose. Hundreds of students attended the discussion, which received widespread support from Longwood's student affairs and fraternity and sorority life teams.

"The negative consequences of substance misuse impact Virginia's college students, their families and friends, and the community-at-large daily," said Chris Young, adult education and prevention coordinator, Virginia ABC. "The toll of misuse on the intellectual and social lives of students is enormous."

Created by Virginia's 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 at their universities that are science-based.

Hampden-Sydney College and Radford University were the other two Virginia higher education institutions recognized as VHESUAC 2025 honorees.