This page was rebuilt in 2026. The original text was not preserved; the content below is based on the sources listed at the end.

This page was the online home of an article from Northern Illinois University (NIU), one of the earliest and best-known social norms programs. The NIU case study on this site describes the article as follows:

GHB and MDMA (Ecstasy) Use Viewed in the context of Social Norms

Written in Spring 2002 by NIU's Health Enhancement staff for a university-wide Student Affairs publication, this article addresses a topic of emerging concern to many college health and student affairs professionals: the use of GHB and MDMA (Ecstasy) among students. It is provided here as an example of how to present information about this subject in the context of an ongoing social norm campaign. Note how the opportunity is used, first, to provide normative data from the campaign about the students' "drug of choice," alcohol, and then present data indicating that "the norm (what is true for most students) at NIU for both GHB and MDMA is non-use." Finally, a wealth of accurate information is provided about both GHB and MDMA.

The text of the article itself was not preserved.

Why the example matters

When a new drug draws attention, news coverage and well-meant warnings often suggest that use is widespread. In a campus with a running social norms campaign, that framing can work against the campaign, because it tells students that risky use is normal. The structure described above keeps the message consistent: first the established, positive norm the campaign has already communicated, then local data showing that non-use is the norm for the new substance as well, and only then the factual health information.

For the full NIU program, see the Northern Illinois University case study.

Sources