Alcohol and Drug ProgrammingALEX REYNOLDS

The Purpose of Alcohol/Drug Programs

The purpose of alcohol and drug programming is to bring awareness to the potential situations that come with drug and alcohol use as well as to offer alternatives to them.

Advise on Smart Decisions

You can only do so much, but you can’t force your residents to stay in. Some residents will choose to go out, some won’t. Make sure you just advise you residents on wise decision making when it comes to alcohol and drug awareness.

Monitor your drink, watch your limits, always be with a trusted person, etc.

Don’t tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs, but don’t withhold. This could lead to a strained relationship between you and your residents.

Give an Experience

Find a way to present alcohol and drug awareness in a way that presents what it is actually like to be under the influence or in a situation that causes someone to be aware. Drunk Driving with a Video Game –

shows how alcohol impairs motor skills. Catching with Beer Goggles – impaired

motor functions. Skittles Club Scene – exposes them to

real life situations and how you never know what could potentially happen.

Alternatives

Not all alcohol and drug programs have to be directly connected to presenting information on alcohol and drug awareness. Some can just be ways of offering an alternative to going out.

That being said, if you wanted to, your residents can be exposed to awareness for alcohol and drugs in this way.

For example, maybe a mocktail event where you and your residents make mixed non-alcoholic drinks.

Make it FUN!

Although information is being presented, make it in a creative way. Instead of saying information, write the information around the room or on things involved in the program that the residents use (on cups, for an example).

It doesn’t have to be a program that you put on. Take your residents to an event that talks about alcohol awareness, or even take them to any event for an alternative to going out.

Things You Should NOT Do

Do NOT judge if they happen to partake in drugs and/or alcohol. The point of the program is to offer assistance and alternatives.

Do NOT make the presentation built on fear. Although a goal is to prevent possible situations where alcohol and drug are present, the way to that should not be carved in fear. Educate and explain rather than create paranoia.

Do NOT make it out for drinking to be the “It’s a part of college” mentality. Although there happens to be a percentage of people that drink/do drugs in college, not everyone does. You want to be able to appeal to all audiences. And challenge the thinking that drinking is synonymous to college.

Things You Should Do

Bring up facts, especially in a creative way. They don’t have to be straightforward facts, but know that there is a learning component to the program that should be happening.

Offer an alternative. Bring up opportunities for residents to find other ways of having fun.

Be a helping hand. Maybe one of your residents is struggling with alcohol or drugs, or even both. You are there to help. Be sure not to antagonize.