SLIDE 1 CHOICES: An Innovative Approach to Alcohol Education
Daniel F. O’Neill, Psy.D. Linda L. McDowell, Ph.D. Millersville University Freshman Year Experience National Conference February 9, 2009 Orlando, Florida
SLIDE 2 CALL TO ACTION
A Call to Action, 2002 NIAAA What Colleges Need to Know Now: Update
- n College Drinking, 2008 NIAAA
Millersville University Task Force on
Alcohol, 1999
SLIDE 3 THE All-TOO-FAMILIAR BAD NEWS
1700 alcohol related unintentional injury student
deaths ages 18-24 in 2001 (6% increase from 1998)
500,000 students between the ages of 18 and
24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol (Hingson et al., 2002).
696,000 students 18-24 assaulted by another
student who has been drinking
97,000 students 18-24 victims of alcohol related
sexual assault or date rape
SLIDE 4 Millersville University
8,300 students Founded 1855 One of 14 state owned PA State System of
Higher Education
79% full time undergraduates 56% of undergrads are women Most students from PA or contiguous states 32% residential students
SLIDE 5 Millersville University
American College Health Assessment (2007)
21.9% students did not use alcohol in past year 36.5% students did not use alcohol in past 30 days 59.9% drink 4 or less when they partied or socialized 85% use designated drivers 84.7% ate before or during drinking occasion 14.1% used marijuana in last month
(727 randomly selected respondents to self-report online survey)
SLIDE 6 Prevention Efforts
Prevention Programming
Wellness Center Peer Educators Alcohol Screening @ Counseling Center Late Night Activities through Student Program Office E-chug Stall Talk Facebook “flyers” CHOICES for students who violated the Alcohol Policy
SLIDE 7
CHOICES: Background
Marlatt & Parks (2005) University of Washington Alcohol Skills Training Program BASICS Published by The Change Companies
SLIDE 8 CHOICES
Facilitated Discussion Non Judgmental Harm Reduction NOT Abstinence Based Motivational Interviewing (Miller) Four sections
Reflections on personal relationship with alcohol Facts Risk Strategies
SLIDE 9
http://www.changecompanies.net/flash/pages
/prevention/choices/journal/index.html
SLIDE 10 Orientation Program
2007 Fall Orientation Program First formal Orientation activity for students Faculty and Staff facilitators Orientation Groups
25students Orientation Leader (upperclassman)
90 minute groups ~$5000 cost for all first year students Grant Supported Funding: PA. Liquor Control Board
SLIDE 11
RECRUITING FACULTY & STAFF
Appeal across the University Letter to potential facilitators Follow up phone calls Diverse voices: More than “the choir” (e.g.. Football Coach, Priest, Head of Admissions…)
SLIDE 12 FACULTY TRAINING
Pilot Program Training
George Parks, Ph.D. Follow up small group training
Second Year Training
Small group training for new facilitators Veteran “brush ups”
SLIDE 13 Background information: defining the problem Careful review of journal Tips for running an effective group How to involve the Orientation Leader Encouraging discussion Preventing student “war stories” Keeping track of time
Training Guidelines
SLIDE 14
STUDENT TRAINING
Orientation Leaders CHOICES group Expectations—encouraging participation Working with a facilitator Appropriate “sharing” of college experience
SLIDE 15
Packets for First Year Students
Interactive Journal BAC cards Alcohol Poisoning Information MU Alcohol Brochure Pens Pre-Test and Post-Test
SLIDE 16
Assessment
Student Satisfaction Survey Pre/Post test data Faculty/Staff feedback
SLIDE 17 Student Evaluation
“The Choices program was helpful.”
2007
- Strongly Agree 9.82%
- Agree
49.65%
7.47%
23.65%
SLIDE 18 Student evaluation: “The Choices Program was helpful.”
2008
Strongly Agree
24.19%
Agree
35.40%
Neutral
25.58%
Disagree
9.95%
Strongly Disagree
6.46%
SLIDE 19
SLIDE 20
SLIDE 21 I thnk it’s important to have A plan in mind to limit my drinking before I go to a Party
Strongly Agree: 52.20% Agree: 39.96% Disagree: 6.27%
Strongly Disagree: 0.39%
SA
66.99%
A
26.93%
D
2.56%
SD
0.20%
SLIDE 22 Question 9: If a friend passes out…
SA
62.68%
A
28.31%
D
5.78%
DS
1.86%
SA
77.38%
A
14.69%
D
1.57%
DS
2.84%
SLIDE 23 Facilitator Feedback
“In the end, I asked them if they had
learned anything new. They said that a lot
- f the CHOICES material was covered in
high school classes, but they did learn:
how to recognize alcohol poisoning how quickly alcohol gets in the bloodstream how long it takes to leave the 24/7 Safe Haven rule at Health Services”
SLIDE 24 FACILITATOR FEEDBACK
Well I survived! It was a great experience. My
first group was barely awake and except for 3 were very reluctant to talk. My second group was much different. They were very outgoing and a little too honest for comfort! Their Orientation Leader was probably more involved that she should have been but it was very helpful.
SLIDE 25 FACILITATOR FEEDBACK
I wish I had a better feeling about my performance
- yesterday. The second session was a bit better than the
- first. About half the group showed up late to the first
- session. In both groups but especially the first, only 2 or
3 where slightly vocal. Some would have rather died then lift the pencil or read the booklet. Tough crowd. I wish I had observed a group or been able to co-facilitate with another staff person. I don’t think everyone showed up to Choices. In the second group one of the freshmen was a member of my Brownie troop several years ago. I don’t think that was a problem for her but I can’t be sure.
SLIDE 26
IMPACT
Common Language Over four years all students will have
participated in a CHOICES group
Strong foundation for follow-up prevention
efforts
Consistency in both prevention and
intervention efforts: CHOICES…..BASICS
SLIDE 27
GOALS FOR THE FUTURE
Expand faculty participation Reduce group size Involve Orientation Leaders more
effectively
Expand Assessment to include follow up Connect CHOICES and ACHA
SLIDE 28
Lessons Learned Lessons Learned
Program Integrity Orientation Leader
expectations/training
# of Facilitators Timing Late Attrition Assessment
SLIDE 29
QUESTIONS?
SLIDE 30 Contact Information
Daniel O’Neill
daniel.oneill@millesville.edu 717.872.3127
Linda McDowell
linda.mcdowell@millersville.edu 717.871.2388
