The second most commonly used drug among college students is cannabis with around 43% of students reporting use during 2019. Many college students also report co-use of alcohol and cannabis which can increase one’s risk of developing substance use disorders. Many colleges have implemented alcohol and drug prevention and intervention efforts to prevent problematic use of alcohol and drugs. This systemic review examines the effectiveness of mandated college alcohol and drug intervention programs on reducing cannabis use.  

Six articles were included in the systemic review using the following inclusion criteria: primary research, examined substance use mandated interventions, conducted in college students, published between January 2000-June 15 2020, written in English, and included outcome date on cannabis or other illicit drug use behaviors. Exclusion criteria included: populations other than college students, not written in English, no measure of cannabis or other illicit drug use, and studies that only utilized cross-sectional data. The substance use interventions in each of the six studies were analyzed and cannabis/illicit drug use outcomes were compared between interventions.  

Results of the data analysis showed that mandated drug intervention programs decreased cannabis use among college students. Most of the studies indicated that mandated interventions decreased cannabis use when measured at less than four months post intervention. Most of these results were not statistically significant. Studies that utilized brief motivational interviewing and personalized written feedback were most successful at reducing cannabis use short term. Three of the studies examined if decreases in cannabis use were sustainable. One study found a significant increase in cannabis use the longer from baseline students were assessed. Only one study found a sustained decrease in cannabis use frequency long-term.  

Takeaway: Mandated substance use interventions may evoke short term changes in cannabis use among college students but results may not be sustainable as more time passes.  

Montemayor, B., Noland, M., Ickes, M., Barry, A.. Effectiveness of Mandated Interventions for Cannabis-Using US College Students: A Systematic Review. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice. 2022;1-16. doi:10.1080/19496591.2022.2027244