SUPER Program Mission
The mission of the SUPER Program (Substance Use, Prevention, Education, and Recovery) is to reduce harm related to substance use at the University of Pennsylvania. Key efforts spearheaded by this office focus on education, prevention, and brief interventions for both individual Penn students and student groups. Our programs meet students where they are at in their harm reduction journey from a place of empathy and without judgement. We also oversee alcohol policy initiatives, violence prevention, data collection, strategic project management, and (in a collaboration with Student Intervention Services) proactive crisis management.
About the Cactus
The SUPER Program's graphic identifier, a potted cactus, represents endurance as it is a plant that can stand up to the test of time and the elements. The cactus flower is a symbol of thriving in harsh conditions and therefore symbolic of the journey of recovery. You will notice this cactus symbol on events and programming that are substance-free.
Students in Recovery
Penn recognizes our students who are in recovery for substance use, considering changing their relationship with substances, and students who abstain from substance use. SUPER offers substance free events for students, be sure to check out the events calendar for more information!
If you are looking for a recovery resource, please check out the following list:
- SUPER's Recovery Community
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Join our weekly recovery meetings in person or virtually! This group is for Penn students who identify as in recovery, no matter what that looks like for them. We also welcome folks that are exploring recovery as an option. We meet weekly on Mondays at 5:30pm at 3535 Market Street on the Mezzanine, Suite 50.
If you have any questions about this group, please email our Substance Use Specialist, Trainor Macrone, at tmacrone@upenn.edu
- AA meeting finder
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Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend AA meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
Key points: AA is specifically for alcohol.
- NA meeting finder
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Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offers recovery from the effects of addiction through working a twelve-step program, including regular attendance at group meetings. Their name, Narcotics Anonymous, is not meant to imply focus on any particular drug. Membership is free, and they have no affiliation with any organizations outside of NA.
Key points: NA is for all types of drugs, including alcohol.
- SMART meeting finder
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SMART recovery was created for people seeking a self-empowering way to overcome addictive problems. What has emerged is an accessible method of recovery, one grounded in science and teaching practical tools that encourage lasting change. SMART also offers meetings for friends and family of people in recovery.
Key points: SMART is for any type of addictive behavior (alcohol, drugs, gambling, internet, etc.); SMART also offers groups for friends and family of people in recovery.
- Recovery Dharma
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Recovery Dharma is a peer-led movement and community that is unified by their trust in the potential of each person to recover and find the freedom from the suffering of addiction. They believe that the traditional Buddhist teachings, often referred to as the Dharma, offer a powerful approach to healing from addiction and living a life of true freedom.
Key points: Dharma is for any type of addictive behavior.
- Marijuana Anonymous
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Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.
- Al-Anon
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Al-Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether or not the alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.
If you're interested in connecting with other students in recovery, email our Substance Use Specialist, Trainor Macrone, at tmacrone@upenn.edu.
SUPER Wellness Follow Ups
Our SUPER team works to ensure all students are safe if choosing to use substances. If a University of Pennsylvania student experiences an adverse reaction due to substance use, someone from SUPER will conduct outreach to schedule a meeting. The meeting is required per the Clery Act to ensure the University can uphold its commitment to Medical Amnesty and not pursue disciplinary measures for students who engage in underage drinking or consumption of other illicit drugs . This meeting is an opportunity for us to provide you with additional resources to continue to support your wellbeing. View the University's policies related to substance use.
Substance Free Events
Substance Free Events are a space for Penn students to have fun and let loose without the addition of substances. They are a great way to meet new people, relax, and just enjoy yourself!
- 9/26: A SUPER Fitness Night - Join us at Pottruck Recreation Center for a night of rock wall climbing and a fitness class!
- 10/25: A SUPER Spooky Movie Night - Join SUPER at the ARCH to curl up with some popcorn and enjoy a spooky movie to get in the Halloween spirit!
- 11/22: TBA
- 1/31: TBA
- 2/28: TBA
- 3/28: TBA
- 4/25: TBA
SUPER Program Wellness Workshops
A SUPER Night Out: Harm Reduction Strategies for Quakers
This workshop provides Quakers with the tools to be safe during high risk parties and events. It is an interactive “choose your own adventure” format where students will get to participate in a “night out” at Penn. They will identify high risk decisions and harm reduction strategies.
Naloxone/Fentanyl Test Strips with MERT
Penn’s Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) offers training that can provide students with the skills and tools to safely reverse an opioid overdose. Participants will learn how to administer Naloxone, a medicine that reverses overdoses from fentanyl to other opioids. This training will also cover the safe use of Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS), a mechanism for testing substances that may have been laced with fentanyl to avoid a potential overdose. This harm reduction training is offered in partnership with Penn Medicine’s Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy.
Wellbeing Workshop Request