NCJ Number
194663
Date Published
2001
Length
431 pages
Annotation
This sourcebook, funded by the Century Council, provides a resource representing a range and diversity of strategies appropriate for a campus-based efforts to prevent and address alcohol-related problems.
Abstract
In addressing alcohol-related problems among the college student population, the Promising Practices: Campus Alcohol Strategies initiated in 1995 sought to identify and present campus-based approaches for prevention of alcohol-related problems. The initiative was to develop resources for colleges and universities to orchestrate comprehensive need-based alcohol abuse prevention. The overall framework of the project incorporated 10 elements as central to campus-based alcohol-abuse prevention initiatives. In identifying “pockets of excellence” from around the country, an extensive solicitation was conducted in 1995-96, 1997-98, and 1999-2000. These solicitations resulted in over 100 approaches identifying resources and insights regarding state-of-the-art college-based strategies to address alcohol-related problems on college campuses. These identified approaches from the three national solicitation processes were abstracted, combined, and included in the 2001 Sourcebook. The Sourcebook begins with a brief overview of the conceptual underpinnings of the project followed by abstracts from the most recent (1999-2000) solicitation. The abstracts are grouped into six major thematic areas; task force, stakeholders, targeted audiences, technology, community, and value conflict resolution. Abstracts are then presented from the previous two solicitations (1995-96 and 1997-98) from the following topic areas: (1) comprehensive programs; (2) awareness and information; (3) environmental and targeted approaches; (4) curriculum; (5) peer-based initiatives; (6) training; (7) support and intervention services; (8) staffing and resources; (9) policies and implementation; (10) enforcement; and (11) assessment and evaluation. The Sourcebook concludes with a presentation of 10 findings and recommendations reflecting all 3 national solicitations and 5 years of experience with the Promising Practices: Campus Alcohol Strategies project. Findings include: (1) the campus-based approaches manifest rich diversity and creativity; (2) a fully comprehensive approach is rarely achieved; (3) campus initiatives often do not clearly articulate desired outcomes; (4) evaluation of campus initiatives is rare; (5) awareness, peer-based, and environmental targeted efforts dominate campus efforts; (6) many alcohol abuse prevention strategies are blended with health-oriented approaches; (7) new approaches appear to be emerging in campus efforts; (8) there is insufficient consistency in the delivery of the “message;” (9) insufficient marketing of approaches is common; and (10) personnel guiding these efforts have tremendous dedication and limited support. Recommendations include: (1) integrating alcohol abuse prevention efforts into the fabric of the institution; (2) ensure that efforts are clearly defined and well grounded; (3) create a comprehensive and long-term perspective; (4) design campus initiatives to be multi-targeted and broad-based; (5) allocate appropriate resources and staff commensurate with the task; (6) build program connections on and off the campus; (7) collaborate with other professionals; (8) conduct and use on-going evaluation; (9) clearly define the message and market the initiative; and (10) solicit support from the top and bottom of the campus hierarchy. In order to maximize a student’s potential, strategies and resources need to be shared. Appendices included an index, participating campuses, and the Century Council.