Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious problem among members of the legal profession, including law students. It is often cited as the leading cause of disbarment, and each year, law students around the nation are denied the right to sit for the bar because of incidents resulting from drug and alcohol abuse. Whether it is our nature or the demands of our chosen profession, we are much more likely to suffer from addiction than are members of the general public.

The good news is that help is available. If you even suspect that you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, please take advantage of that help. Your career and even your life may depend upon it. We care, and we are here to help.

Sources of Assistance at the University of Dayton

• Dean Lori Shaw, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (To schedule an appointment call (937) 229-3794 or email mary.boston@notes.udayton.edu)
• University of Dayton Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (To schedule an appointment call (937) 229-2229)
• University of Dayton Counseling Center (To schedule an appointment call (937) 229-3141) Counseling Center services are free to law students
• University of Dayton Health Center (To schedule an appointment call (937) 229-3131) Most Health Center services are free to law students
• Campus Ministry (To schedule an appointment call (937) 229-3339)

The Counseling Center can provide individual counseling for students, or the Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention can provide a referral to the University of Dayton Substance Education Program; to outside assistance; or to Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or Adult Children of Alcoholics.

Sources of Assistance from the Ohio Bar

Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program - toll free hotline (national, 24/7) (800) 348-4343

The Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping Ohio's judges, attorneys, and law students obtain treatment for substance abuse, chemical dependency, addiction, and mental health issues. Through OLAP, judges, attorneys, and law students receive: confidential advice about individual problems; help in arranging and implementing formal interventions; help in making treatment decisions; monitoring and aftercare services. To learn more about OLAP, visit http://www.ohiolap.org/.

Additional Sources of Assistance:

• Alcoholics Anonymous - (937) 222-2211
• Montgomery County Center for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment - (937) 461-5223
• Al-Anon/ Al-Ateen - (937) 427-5439
• Good Samaritan Hospital Crisis Care - (937) 224-4646
• Greene Hall (Greene Memorial Hospital) - (937) 429-3360
• Narcotics Anonymous - (937) 640-1813
• Turning Point (Miami Valley Hospital) - (937) 208-4673