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Innovative initiatives for Alcohol Education
Kevin Maher '04
 FOX
News reporter Nancy Yamada recently spoke with Center for Health and Wellness
Education Director Cathy Lovecchio to discuss the innovative techniques
in place to improve alcohol education on campus. Due to the powerful subject
matter of the piece, which is scheduled to be aired on the television
station WTXF in the near future, the possibility of national syndication
appears likely.
Formerly known as the Drug and Alcohol
Center, the Center for Health and Wellness Education not only has a new
name, but also an entirely new perspective on alcohol education. Noting
that the main concerns are no longer drugs and alcohol alone, Lovecchio
explained the role these substances, particularly alcohol, play in influencing
a variety of other issues including risky behavior, grades, social relations
and general health, among others.
With a wide range of methods, the Center
is well armed to meet its goal, which Lovecchio describes as "trying to
provide information so that students can make healthy choices." This includes
a strong peer education program that features nearly 50 students specializing
in alcohol and drug or sexual assault education. Recognizing a need for
creativity in educating students, Lovecchio hopes to appeal to the new
students during this year's Orientation Program with "Last Call." In it,
Bill Ross relays alcohol statistics and his own personal experiences as
a recovered alcohol abuser while performing juggling and riding a unicycle.
To further education, a social norming
campaign is under way currently. The initiative provides statistics concerning
alcohol-related topics particular to Villanova. Displayed on posters
around campus, one states: "One in twelve Villanova students chooses not
to drink." The facts are intended to show students, especially younger
ones who may feel pressured to drink, that drinking is not as prevalent
on campus as one might assume. Freshmen are encouraged to hang similar
posters in their rooms since they merit a $5 reward when the peer counselors
visit residence halls. Also, freshmen are required to complete an
online alcohol education program during their first semester. Describing
the effects of alcohol on the body, the course is somewhat more scientific,
offering students a well-rounded education on the topic. The hope of all
of these projects is to discourage alcohol abuse and keep students safe.
With its many new enterprises, the Health
and Wellness Center still provides the counseling aspect required for
those students who violate University policy and it also maintains its
connection with the Drug and Alcohol Intervention Program. In addition,
the Center strives to continuously improve upon its research library to
provide students with the most current and updated facts.
Plans are already under way to further
improve effectiveness in the new semester. A campus-wide lifestyle survey
will soon be administered in classes to provide additional data for social
norming. A great success thus far, the "Let's Party" Program will pick
up again in February. Directed at increasing safety awareness, the activity
places students in a realistic party scenario with peer educators hidden
among the crowd. While some offer the distractions common to a party
scene, others drop skittles in the cups of unsuspecting party-goers. At
basketball games, stress basketballs with alcohol statistics will be thrown
to the student section. With the coming of the warmer weather, Lovecchio
hopes to set up a tricycle course near the Oreo where students will have
the opportunity to attempt the course while wearing "beer goggles," goggles
that simulate the vision and coordination impairment caused by different
blood alcohol levels.
Emphasizing the goal of these programs,
Lovecchio stated: "We just want to make sure everybody has the same knowledge.
Once they have this knowledge base, you feel a little better that they
can go out and make better decisions." |
