Drug overdose suspected cause in Creighton student death

A suspected drug overdose may be the cause behind the death of a 21-year-old Creighton student found June 8 in his dorm room. Jonathan Colby's body was found around 9 a.m. in his dorm room in Opus Hall, located on Creighton's campus.

Colby was a native of Hartland, Wis., and was studying chemistry. In his dorm, evidence of drugs was found, leaving investigators to believe he may have died of an overdose.

This incident serves as a reminder to UNO students of how serious substance abuse can be.

Paul Kosel, assistant manager of Campus Security, said about 70 percent to 80 percent of substance abuse dealt with by Campus Security is alcohol-related.

"There's a lot more alcohol abuse than drugs," Kosel said. "The stats keep creeping up."

Campus Security assesses a student's condition to determine whether medical attention is necessary.

"We generate a report giving details of the event, state names and then that goes to the judicial officer," Kosel said. "When we get involved, the resident advisors are there. They generate a report and cite a lease violation."

As a consequence, students have to attend an alcohol and drug class, which costs $100 for first-offense and $200 for subsequent offenses.

"You get caught out here with alcohol or drugs it could be really simple or get really bad, really fast," Kosel said.

Campus Security officials are constantly observing students and their surroundings, especially during the fall and spring semesters when substance abuse is most common.

"You know better than to be on campus doing stuff if you've been caught with your buddies before," Kosel said. "During the summer time, there are a few alcohol violations, but nothing compared to the spring or fall."

Students who struggle with substance abuse can visit Student Health Services or the Counseling Center, which provides an Alcoholics Anonymous program every Monday and Friday from noon to 1 p.m. in the Eppley Administration Building.

The Counseling Center provides short-term counseling for all students, faculty and staff members, as well as academic and career counseling.

Nate Bock, a licensed mental health practitioner at the center and the coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Education, said he usually has two to four appointments per day involving substance abuse.

"Alcohol is the main problem we see students for - followed by marijuana usage - and percentages really fall off from there," Bock said.

Bock said the process of helping students with substance abuse is not as simple as a student meeting with a counselor to discuss their situation.

There are prevention groups on campus, as well as a coalition, which addresses policies and enforcement procedures to keep students safe from substance abuse.

The center also has an evaluation, which costs about $75, Bock said. The evaluation is used to make referrals for students based on their conditions.

"This evaluation is to help us understand what is going on in that student's life and how we can provide the best care," Bock said. "We have a nice standardized assessment that we can identify.