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Volume 40, Issue 5
October 29, 2002
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Program hikes student alcohol, drug awareness
By Matt Mueller
For the Mesa Legend
Photo by M.A. Reed
Volunteer Sera Nez mans the Peervention table in front of the Kirk Center
Alcohol related problems cost society an estimated $86 billion annually,
according to Alcohol Practices, Policies, and Potentials of American Colleges
and Universities.
Alcohol has a definite presence on campuses, with students spending more
money on alcohol than on their text books; an estimated $446 per student.
MCC's Peervention program is a volunteer based program that furnishes
the student population with information about drug and alcohol abuse.
This program allows students to actively assist their campus community,
by allowing them to interact with other students in a one on one situation.
"We try to inform students of the dangers of alcohol abuse"
says Dr. Christa Adams, Chairperson of the counseling department and director
of the Peervention volunteers.
"Our goal is to provide information about the dangers of abuse and
the benefits of responsible use."
Peervention is not there to preach, they offer factual research based
findings to students who seek help dealing with these types of problems.
The most recent studies reveal that consumption of alcoholic beverages
is directly related to a student's grade point average, (GPA).
According to a study by The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug
Prevention, the average student who consumes 3.3 beverages per week earns
a GPA of 4.0, equivalent to an A, while those consuming nine or more such
beverages earn significantly lower GPAs of 1.0 or lower, equaling grades
of D or F.
Alcohol related problems are too often the cause of poor grades and even
dropping out.
Students can earn up to three credit hours by enrolling in CPD 282 (Counseling
and Personal Development).
Credit is earned through volunteering, every 50 hours volunteered earns
one credit hour.
During part of the time volunteered the time volunteered the students
earn their BACCHUS certification, (Boost Alcohol Conscious Concerning
Health of University Students).
The students are then able to council fellow students who may be having
trouble with drugs, both legal and illegal, as well as alcohol.
The program often arranges from public speakers to appearances on campus
to further educate the student body on an array of topics related to substance
use and abuse.
Last Monday student volunteers provided information to their peers in
the Kirk Center.
Two speakers gave presentations and offered personal experiences to MCC
students.
The program has enjoyed success over the past ten years, and includes
many honors.
MCC's Peervention program was included in the current edition of Promising
Practices Source Book 2001 (campus alcohol strategies).
The publication is a nationally distributed resource for research and
similar programs at other colleges and universities.
Adams notes that, "Nothing is 100 percent; the Promising Practices
Source Book covers the techniques that work best."
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