Maine Colleges Receive Federal Grant To Prevent High-Risk
Drinking
August 29, 2003
A coalition of nine Maine colleges and universities has received
a $190,899 federal grant to help prevent and reduce high-risk
drinking and violent behavior among college students. Maine's
coalition, which is led by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse,
was one of only 13 organizations chosen from a field of 159
applicants. Maine's grant was the single-largest contract
amount awarded to the 13 grantees by the U.S. Department of
Education.
Members of the coalition include: University of Southern
Maine, the University of Maine, the University of Maine at
Farmington, Bowdoin College, Thomas College, Eastern Maine
Community College, Maine Maritime Academy, St. Joseph's College,
and Unity College.
The goal of the grant program is to provide funds to develop
or enhance, implement and evaluate, campus- and community-based
prevention strategies to reduce high-risk drinking or violent
behavior among college students. Grantees are funded for one
year, with an option for an additional year, based on progress
in meeting proposed goals and objectives.
Sabra Burdick, Acting Commissioner for the Department of
Behavioral and Developmental Services reports that the Department
is "excited to be working with this many Maine Colleges and
Universities. Maine is taking a lead in addressing this national
issue. We appreciate the interest and energy being invested
by the schools in Maine to provide an environment that is
safe and conducive to learning."
Maine's proposal, the Maine Higher Education Alcohol Prevention
Partnership, was selected based on the uniqueness of its coordinated,
statewide approach. The project calls for a coalition of schools
and state agencies to develop: training and resources for
all Maine colleges and universities; marketing and awareness
materials for students, parents, faculty/staff, and local
law enforcement; a statewide media advocacy plan; and an online
brief intervention and feedback tool for high-risk drinkers.
"High-risk drinking jeopardizes the well-being of those students
who are engaging in it and those who suffer from the second-hand
effects of others' use," said Kim Johnson, Director of the
Office of Substance Abuse. "This project will help colleges
and universities across the state ensure that alcohol abuse
does not derail their students' academic and personal success."
The overall framework for the project is based on the work
of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug
Prevention in Newton, MA, which recommends an "environmental
management" approach to reduce social, legal, and economic
factors in campus environments that may inadvertently encourage
high-risk drinking. Each of the nine campuses will establish
a local campus-community coalition to meet the project's goals,
and will address enforcement of school policies and local
laws and availability of alcohol both on campus and in the
wider community. A statewide Project Coordinator will be located
at the University of Southern Maine, and will work closely
with the project director at the Maine Office of Substance
Abuse in Augusta.
The overall framework for the project is based on the work
of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug
Prevention in Newton, MA, which recommends an "environmental
management" approach to reduce social, legal, and economic
factors in campus environments that may inadvertently encourage
high-risk drinking. Each of the nine campuses will establish
a local campus-community coalition to meet the project's goals,
and will address enforcement of school policies and local
laws and availability of alcohol both on campus and in the
wider community. A statewide Project Coordinator will be located
at the University of Southern Maine, and will work closely
with the project director at the Maine Office of Substance
Abuse in Augusta.
For more information, contact Kimberly
Johnson, Director of the Maine Office of Substance Abuse
at 287-2595.
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