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Leger Fernández Passes Bill to Support Programs to Prevent Alcohol and Substance Use on College Campuses

Washington, DC, June 23, 2022

Today, the House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández’s bipartisan Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act (H.R. 6493).

The bill was introduced in January alongside Representatives Dusty Johnson (SD-At Large), David Trone (MD-06), Michael Guest (MS-03), Chris Pappas (NH-01), John Joyce (PA-13), and Lucy McBath (GA-06). This bill helps higher education institutions develop prevention and recovery programs to prevent alcohol and substance use and support students with substance use disorders.

“I lost two brothers to substance abuse that began during their time in college. I want to make sure other families do not experience the same pain that my family did. Sadly, my family’s story is not unique in New Mexico - substance abuse affects too many students, families, and communities. College students who deal with substance misuse and addiction often find themselves without a support network. I don’t want to see another headline or obituary of a promising young person lost to overdose,” said Rep. Leger Fernández. “I thank my colleagues for supporting and voting for this bipartisan legislation that will help colleges and universities support students through strong addiction prevention and recovery programs. Now we need to move this through the Senate.”

The Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act:

  • Promotes evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies on college campuses.
  • Encourages integration and collaboration in campus-based health services to address substance use and mental health.
  • Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to identify and promote successful programs.
  • Reauthorizes and revitalizes a grant program to help institutions implement programs.
  • Requires the Secretary of Education to issue a report to Congress on efforts and best practices from institutions.
  • Allows grant funds to be used to restore mental health and substance use prevention programs during public health emergencies and natural disasters through a $15 million annual authorization for five years.

HR 6493 passed the Education and Labor Committee unanimously on May 18, 2022.

Watch Congresswoman Leger Fernández’s full remarks on HR 6493 HERE.

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