Report: More alcohol, drug law violations found at MSU

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Alcohol and drug violations have spiked at Missouri State University, a new federally mandated report shows.

Dean of students Mike Jungers said that while the university has put an emphasis on combating sexual assault, following the national focus on the issue, programs to educate students on the consequences of drug and alcohol use have not been much of a focus in recent years.

And, he said, most of the training that is available is not mandated, the Springfield News-Leader reported.

"As I look at these numbers, I think that's probably something we need to return to having," he said, noting the increase that occurred from 2012 to 2013.

The report, which the school released Tuesday, showed that arrests and tickets issued for students with alcohol violations on campus increased 144 percent from 2012, with 22 cases in 2013. All told there were 638 alcohol violations resulting in a referral for disciplinary action in 2013, up 8 percent from the previous year.

Meanwhile, arrests and citations for drug violations increased 71 percent, with 48 cases in 2013, the report showed.

Justin Johns, a drug and alcohol counselor at MSU, created a program -- SoBear: Bears in Recovery -- this semester to help students struggling with substance abuse.

A survey conducted on campus found that 5 percent of students identified as being in recovery or sober from a substance abuse addiction, Johns said.

He said an alcohol or drug violation does not necessarily indicate abuse, but it could lead to it. He favors more education on the personal consequences of criminal drug or alcohol use.

"We don't provide any preventative measures for students coming in about alcohol and drug awareness," Johns said.

Missouri State's Springfield campus has more than 22,000 students.