epresentatives from junior colleges and universities from all areas of the state attempted to formulate solutions to student drug abuse last week at a conference on illegal drugs.

The two-day conference, held at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana on Tuesday, and at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn on Wednesday, was held by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

Included in the conference each day was a series of speakers discussing legal issues of drug control, the effects of drug abuse and the technology of testing for drugs.

Stephen Soboroff, team physician for the University of Illinois’ athletic department, also spoke each day on the drug testing and prevention program they had set up in 1985.

IBHE Chairman William Browder said the conference was set up by the 84th General Assembly to come up with “a definitive program for conclusive action” against drug abuse in Illinois colleges and universities.

After listening to the speakers, different groups of college and university representatives gathered separately to discuss different ways of approaching the problem of drug abuse. The different groups included presidents and chancellors, athletic directors, vice presidents and other administrators.

Susie Pembroke-Jones, NIU women’s athletic director, said, “My impression was the IBHE was collecting ideas from (the groups of representatives) as to how the State Legislature should deal with this problem.”

obert Brigham, NIU men’s athletic director, said IBHE recommendations will be made on how the state should spread the $18 million in state funds set aside for dealing with the problem of drug abuse. He said recommendations probably will be to divide the funds among junior colleges and universities.

Brigham said junior colleges will be of primary concern because “they don’t have the resources or the personnel to begin a program.”

Jon Dalton, vice president for student affairs, said, “the IBHE is urging college and universities to be aware of the problem of drug abuse and to do what they think is appropriate.”

Dalton said the conference’s focus on illegal drugs “kind of missed the point.” He said it was agreed upon during group discussions that the primary concern was alcohol abuse among students instead of drug abuse. Another major concern is the use of steroids among athletes, he said.