If you’re the parent of a college-bound student, you’re probably shaken by the tragic news stories involving kids, drugs, and alcohol that crop up every year across the country. Although you can’t control the kind of decisions your 18-year-old is going to make once he or she is on her own, you can determine how seriously a school views its role in monitoring and preventing substance abuse. Why not begin when you’re visiting prospective colleges with your child? The signs are everywhere – you just need to know what to look for. The trick is to keep it subtle. I’ve seen parents who aggressively buttonhole administration officials or talk the ears off the tour guide, and it’s clearly not the best approach. You run the risk of embarrassing your child and you’re likely to hear repetitive, “We’re on top of it” feedback. If I had to do the college circuit again, I’d try to visit a school while it’s in session, preferably a day or two after a weekend. Seeing is believing. What to Look For When you and your teen visit your prospective colleges:
