Georgia Peer Education Network (GPEN)

GPEN serves to create a network for the peer educators at institutions of higher education in the state of Georgia to share ideas, issues, and solutions to problems related to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. It further seeks to:

• Provide alcohol and other drug prevention training/resources for college campus peer educators throughout the state,
• Create commitment and support for building a relationship with the local middle/high schools in the college communities to enhance educational opportunities and increase collaborative AOD prevention efforts,
• Use GPEN as a means to become mentors and resources to educate middle/high school students on AOD issues.

This is a collaborative initiative with ASAP (Advocating Safe Alternatives for Peers) at UGA, the Georgia Network and GOHS (the Governor's Office of Highway Safety) and is open to membership for all institutions of higher education in the state of Georgia.

For further information contact:
ASAP at 706-542-1928, Lauren Fields, lawren.fields@gmail.com
OR
The Georgia Network, Carole Middlebrooks, cmiddleb@uga.edu

 

BACCHUS Network

The BACCHUS Network is a university and community network whose mission is to promote student and young adult based, campus and community-wide leadership on healthy and safe lifestyle decisions concerning alcohol abuse, tobacco use, illegal drug use, unhealthy sexual practices and other high risk behavior. BACCHUS believes that students are in a uniqu position to effectively to encourage and teach their peers to talk honestly about, consider and develop responsible habits toward high-risk health decisions. Bacchus also develops cutting edge tools for campuses consisting of student-friendly training programs, resource manuals, posters and pamphlets.

For more information contact Alma Keita, the BACCHUS State Coordinator, 229-931-2708, agk@canes.gsw.edu

 

Georgia College and State University AOD Efforts

• An NCAA CHOICES grant was received to implement Prime for Life on campus for all Greeks, athletes and repeat alcohol violators
• 5 staff members will be trained as Prime for Life facilitators in Janurary 2007
• In Fall 2006 an alcohol counselor/educator and a University Health Educator were hired
• More frequent alcohol free events for students are being implemented
• A third year renewal from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety for 10,000 has been received to continue to implement alcohol abuse prevention programming along with highway safety issues
• 6 new Peer Educators were trained in October
• Enhanced enforcement efforts have produced positive results

For more information about GC&SU efforts contact: Chris Lamphere at 478-445-5331

Georgia State University AOD Efforts

• In Fall 2004 AlcoholEdu was implemented and has reached 3,000 students
• Freshmen Learning Communities, freshmen student athletes, Greek members and Peer Health Educators are all required to complete AlcoholEdu
• 15 Peer Health Educators were trained to present a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome program by the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities
• 30 Peer Health Educators participated in the MADD 2nd annual Strides for Change Walk
• Alcohol Awareness Week consists of a banner display, a smashed "drunk driving" car and a Greek Hall Poster Contest
• A Resource Library is open for students with brochures, videos and online activities related to AOD

For more information about Georgia State's AOD efforts contact: Tammy Turner at 404-651-3122

Georgia Institute of Technology AOD Efforts

Off Campus

• Developing a partnership with the Atlanta Police Department to reduce underage sales, promote media advocacy and increase compliance checks
• Anonymous Tip Line for citizens and students to report businesses selling to minors
• Offer an online Responsible Alcohol sales and server training (RASS) to alcohol licensees and their staff

On Campus

• Plans to revise Alcohol Policy in 2007
• Determining the number and content of alcohol related programs being provided by all campus departments
• Parental Notification Policy which the Dean of Students can use at personal discretion to inform parents if their child threatens to harm themselves or others under the influence, is in jeopardy of losing campus housing or for other reasons

For more information about Georgia Tech's AOD efforts contact: Marsha Brinkley at 404-385-2290

 

North Georgia College and State University AOD Efforts

• Received a Governor's Office of Highway Safety grant
• Peer Educator's help with AOD programming such as residence hall alcohol programs and tables during Alcohol Awareness week in April
• AlcoholEdu is mandatory for all incoming freshmen
• Successful Red Ribbon Week "mocktail" party with information about driving and alcohol and "How to Help a Friend"
• Pre-Spring Break awareness speaker
• Dating violence, sexual assault and alcohol program
• Seat belt checks

For more information about NGC&SU's AOD efforts contact: Susan Krall at 706-864-1819

University of Georgia AOD Efforts

• Advocating Safe Alternatives for Peers (ASAP), a student organization
• Community/Campus Coalition
• John Fontaine, Jr. Center for Alcohol Awareness and Education
• mystudentbody.com is required for all incoming freshmen and transfer students under 23 years old and e-CHUG is available to all students online
• CHOICES is delivered to all student athletes by peer facilitators
• Outreach to classrooms, residence halls, student and staff organizations and freshmen and parent orientation
• AOD mandated program: AOD Advanced, BASICS and PRIME for Life, Campus
• CORE survey, NCHA survey and parent/student summer orientation surveys
• Individual counseling available

For more information about UGA's AOD efforts contact: Erin English at 706-542-8690

Valdosta University AOD Efforts

• Presentations in residence halls, classrooms, local churches, sponsored substance abuse motivational speakers and at orientations
• Trainings for resident assistants, resident hall advisors and statewide residence assistants training
• Substance Abuse Task Force initiatives
• Alcohol 101 Plus
• TIPS certification offered
• PRIME for Life: On Campus Talking About Alcohol (OCTAA)
• Community: Red Ribbon Campaign presentations, "Family Fun Days" and Resource Fairs
• Individual counseling
• "Natural High" activities (substance-free social programming)

For more information about Valdosta's AOD efforts: Mark Williams at 912-259-5111