Alli Adams
As Halloween weekend approaches, students at Colorado State University are encouraged to think critically about substance use and the growing impacts of sobriety culture on campus. While the holiday is often associated with costumes, parties and late nights, it also presents one of the most high-risk weekends for alcohol and drug misuse among college students.
Nationally, studies have identified Halloweekend as one of the heaviest drinking events for college students throughout the school year. Research indicates that average alcohol consumption significantly increases on Halloween, with students often consuming more than they intend.
CSU’s Health Education and Prevention Services department leads the university’s ongoing substance-misuse prevention efforts. It’s mission is to promote well-being through harm reduction, recovery support and education rather than punishment.
“Most CSU students make wise choices around substance use,” the HEPS website reads. “However, for some students, substance use can be a major obstacle to their personal and academic success.”
HEPS oversees prevention campaigns throughout the year, addressing topics such as responsible drinking, overdose prevention and safe social decision-making. The department also helps connect students in distress with counseling, recovery communities and long-term support. Its programs include the federally funded AlcoholEdu course for incoming students; the CREWS Peer Education group; and Ram Recovery.
CREWS, which stands for Creating Respect, Educating Wellness (by and for) Students, is a peer education group focusing on alcohol and cannabis misuse prevention, sexual health and wellness. Members earn academic credit while learning skills in teaching, risk reduction and peer support.
CSU’s approach to substance-use education is rooted in harm reduction rather than abstinence, and that includes acknowledging students’ autonomy while providing resources that make safer choices easier to access. For some, that means choosing not to drink at all. CSU’s Ram Recovery community, for example, offers peer support for students in recovery or those living substance-free. The group hosts weekly meetings and sober social events to build connections without alcohol or drugs, though these events are not limited to people in recovery.
Transportation programs like RamRide also play a role in harm reduction. The free, student-led service operates on weekends and typically serves 150 to 250 riders per night, though demand can reach 600 during high-traffic weekends such as Halloween.
“RamRide serves hundreds of people every single night,” Director of Off-Campus Life Lindsay Mason said in a 2024 interview with The Collegian. “It’s saving lives at night, and it has a ripple effect.”
Beyond transportation, CSU partners with the City of Fort Collins to deliver a party registration program that promotes accountability among hosts. Registered parties receive a 20-minute warning to address issues before police are dispatched, and more than 97% of registered gatherings avoid citations.
As Halloween approaches, CSU reminds students that celebrating safely involves awareness of both personal choices and community impact.
“Rams Take Care of Rams means looking out for one another on and off campus, respecting one another and helping one another.” Vice President for Student Affairs Blanche Hughes and Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Kauline Cipriani wrote in a 2024 statement. “We can all uphold CSU’s Principles of Community through our individual and collective actions and accountability this Halloween and throughout the year.”
Reach Maci Lesh at news@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.