The problem of substance abuse in American law schools is an important issue deserving the attention of legal educators. The quality of professional legal services is affected by attorneys who are impaired as a result of the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. The seeds of substance abuse by lawyers may be sown during their law school years. In recognition of this problem, the Special Committee on Problems of Substance Abuse in the Law Schools was established by the AALS Executive Committee in the spring of 1990.
The Committee has examined the problems of substance abuse in the law schools and developed recommendations to assist law schools in dealing with these problems. The Committee's findings and recommendations are detailed in the within the Report. The Committee undertook two surveys, one of law school administrators, and one of law students, in order to obtain current and accurate information about the extent of substance abuse in law schools. The Committee's recommendations are intended to provide information and advice that will be useful to every law school in developing its own approach to the problems of substance abuse. The Committee does not believe it is necessary or appropriate to recommend any changes in AALS Requirements of Membership or mandate that AALS member schools adopt any particular policies or programs. Rather, the Committee hopes that this Report will encourage each law school to examine its own specific situation and develop an approach to the problems of substance abuse that is tailored to the unique needs, or the individual institution, its students and faculty.
