sealPurdue News
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March 2, 2001

NCAA helps promote responsible alcohol use
on Purdue campus

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue's Student Wellness Office and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics are teaming up with the National Collegiate Athletic Association to help students learn about alcohol abuse.

In February, the Student Wellness Office began a comprehensive educational campaign by blanketing the West Lafayette campus with posters promoting responsible alcohol use.

The posters were designed by a group of 13 students called NCAA "Your Choice" peer advocates. The posters feature photographs of Purdue students, statistics about making healthy choices and slogans. The campaign also includes table tents, public service announcements at sporting events and a video for incoming freshmen and athletes.

"Alcohol is a choice," said Eric Steiner, a senior in agricultural education, member of Farmhouse fraternity and former Mortar Board president. "If, and how, students use and abuse that choice impacts their chances for failure or success."

In addition to the media education campaign, Purdue's "Your Choice" program uses alternative activities, such as the recent "Rec Fest," to present safe alternatives to drinking. The Student Wellness Office also formed an interactive peer theater program to help create awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse.

"This program is all coming together," said Tammy Loew, "Your Choice" coordinator. "The peer advocates are working hard on their part of the campaign, the peer theater program is really taking off and there are hundreds of students attending the 'Choice' events."

"Your Choice" is one of 10 university programs funded by a three-year NCAA grant as part of the NCAA CHOICES program. The CHOICES program seeks to encourage NCAA institutions and conferences to implement and evaluate effective alcohol education programs. Funded programs are designed to work toward the elimination of high-risk alcohol consumption by college students through promoting low-risk choices.

CONTACT: Tammy Loew, "Your Choice" coordinator, (765)496-6780, tfloew@purdue.edu.

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