U.S. Department of Education recognizes UF's alcohol abuse prevention program

August 4, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida was one of five schools to be named a 2009 Model of Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse Prevention Program on College Campuses by the U.S. Department of Education. This distinction comes with a $100,000 grant for the College of Health and Human Performance to continue its campuswide alcohol abuse prevention program.

“This is indeed a prestigious honor which carries both funding and recognition for [UF’s] rigorous work in prevention of alcohol and other drugs on college campuses,” the Department of Education stated in an e-mail.

Led by Virginia Dodd, associate professor in the department of health education and behavior, researchers hope to continue their work from a previous grant that was used for an effective advertising campaign. By the end of the grant in 2008, the high-risk drinking rate fell 7.6 percent. One of the most well-known bus ads they created was “Sketchy drunk guys… Making girls feel uncomfortable since 1853. Warning: Avoid guys who drink too much.” The idea behind the ads was to change the perception that being drunk helps people to have more fun.

“The advertising campaign we launched really showed us some positive results,” Dodd said. “We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity to continue our research and make a lasting impact of reducing high-risk drinking at UF. Without this grant, we would not be able to do that.”

This grant provides funding for UF to administer the CORE Drug and Alcohol Survey twice a year, which allows researchers to determine the extent of substance use and abuse at UF. In addition, researchers will examine the effectiveness of the taxi stands in downtown Gainesville that provide students an alternative to driving drunk. Researchers will examine the breath-alcohol concentration levels in under age drinkers as well.

“So far, our research has found that the number of UF students who are participating in binge drinking is low compared to the number of students who attend UF,” Dodd said. “I think there is a misconception that UF is a ‘party school.’ However, we still need to continue educating our students about the risks of binge drinking and drinking underage.”

UF was one of five schools to receive the 2009 Model of Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse Prevention Programs on College Campuses. The award was classified as exemplary, effective or promising program. UF was named a promising program, while University of California, Santa Barbara, and University at Albany, State University of New York, were named effective programs. University of North Carolina Wilmington and University of West Florida were named promising programs.