Mission Statement:
The mission of the Counseling Department is to develop a team of highly competent staff who are deeply committed to providing prevention, intervention, and modeling to encourage students to take responsibility for their mental, emotional, social, spiritual, physical, and occupational development to become contributing members in their community. In support of this mission, Alcohol Prevention aims to create a campus culture that supports responsible decisions surrounding alcohol.

The Counseling Department is located in DeChantal Hall. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Students are always welcome to stop by or make an appointment to check out all the alcohol & other drug resources available to them.

Health Risks:
The use or abuse of alcohol may result in severe physical and psychological health risks, with some of them being permanent. For physical health problems, these include (but are not limited to): intoxication or alcohol poisoning, such as: blackouts, seizures, coma, and death; cirrhosis of the liver; organic brain damage; heart disease; high blood pressure; stroke; cancer of the liver, throat, mouth, and stomach; weakened immune system; obesity; seizures; ulcers; and malnutrition. For psychological health problems, these include (but are not limited to): higher incidences of depression, anxiety, mood swings, suicide, homicide; inappropriate risk taking; poor memory; physical and psychological dependence (addiction); drug use; learning disabilities; fetal alcohol syndrome (physical and mental birth defects); diminished behavior (slurred speech, disorientation, hangovers, and hallucinations);violent behavior, increase risk of assault and/ or rape; conflict with friends and family; poor performance on school/work; legal problems (including imprisonment); financial problems, occupational problems, poor grades, getting suspended and/or expelled from school.

Contact Information:
Megan Yoder, MSW
Prevention Counselor
Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern #ISW 7676
Phone: (352)588-7203
Fax: (352)588-8885
Email: megan.yoder@saintleo.edu

Goals:

• To increase the number of positive social norm messages on campus.
• To increase students’ knowledge regarding the effects and the potential safety, health, social, academic, and legal consequences of alcohol misuse.
• To increase awareness regarding the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning, alcohol dependency, and addiction.
• Assist students in evaluating their own expectancies regarding and motivations for high-risk and binge drinking.
• Define and encourage low-risk, responsible and safe decisions with alcohol.
• Assist students in exploring alternatives to drinking.
• Correct the misconceptions regarding the norms for alcohol use here on campus.
• Provide students with information about campus and community alcohol prevention, intervention, and wellness resources.

Educational Activities Include:

• Alcohol-free events
• Alcohol Awareness Week
• Safe Spring Break Week
• National Alcohol Screening Day on Campus
• Presentations on a variety of alcohol related topics and interactive workshops.
• Information tables
• Bulletin board displays
• Posters, brochures, and educational give a ways.
• Website Materials
• Social Norming Campaign
• Click here to visit us on Facebook!

Services:

• 3rd Millennium Classrooms – Under the Influence:
  Under the Influence is an online, evidence-based alcohol education course created using current research techniques. This course can be utilized by students as part of educational and interventional processes on campus. It includes an alcohol self-assessment, personalized feedback, and information on the impact of alcohol on personal health as well as on other areas of students’ lives.
• BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening & Intervention for College Students):
  The goal of BASICS is to minimize negative consequences of drinking by helping students make better alcohol-use decisions. This evidence based practice is designed for college students who drink and are at risk for or have experienced negative consequences as a result (i.e.; injuries, violence, sexual assault, vandalism, poor academic performance, etc.). Following a harm reduction approach; BASICS aims to motivate students to reduce alcohol use in order to decrease the negative consequences of drinking. It is delivered in a non-judgmental, empathetic, and non-confrontational manner and is aimed at revealing the discrepancy between the student’s risky drinking behavior and his/ her goals and values. Students will be referred either through the judicial system for an alcohol related offense or from the counseling department.
  
  BASICS consist of two one-hour sessions with a trained BASICS facilitator on campus. During the first session, the facilitator asks the student questions about his/her alcohol use, risk factors, and protective behaviors. During the second session, the facilitator gives personalized feedback on the following; 1.the myths about alcohol’s effects, 2.the student’s use patterns as compared to other students on campus, 3.risk factors, 4.a range of strategies to reduce risks, and 5.options to assist the student in making any desired changes.
  
  To schedule a confidential and free BASICS session, please contact Megan Yoder, Prevention Counselor, at 352-588-7203 or megan.yoder@saintleo.edu
• CMCA (Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol):
  CMCA is featured on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). CMCA is a community-organizing program designed to reduce youth access to alcohol by changing community policies and practices. CMCA is a universal prevention strategy focusing on environmental strategies to limit youth access to alcohol and to communicate the clear message to the community that underage drinking is inappropriate and unacceptable. Research has demonstrated that the CMCA program can be used to decrease DUI arrests and youth access to alcohol through both commercial and non commercial outlets.
  
  CMCA employs a range of organizing techniques to address legal, institutional, social, and health issues in order to reduce youth alcohol use by eliminating illegal alcohol sales to youth by retailers and obstructing the provision of alcohol to youth by adults.
  Proven Results: 1) Reductions in older youths (18 to 20 years old) providing alcohol to younger teenagers. 2) Youths 18 to 20 years old are less likely to try to buy alcohol, drink in a bar, or consume alcohol. 3) Arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol declined significantly among 18- to 20-year-olds and 4) Alcohol merchants increased age-identification checking and reduced propensity to sell to minors.
• ASAP (Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention):ASAP is a coalition that operates as an integral part of Pasco County by providing educational and resource information to the community. The mission of ASAP is to develop, motivate, and encourage strategic relationships that reduce county risk factors and decrease substance abuse rates among youth and adults. The Saint Leo University Prevention Program is involved as an active community member of ASAP.

Helpful Resources:

1. www.aa.org – Alcoholics Anonymous
2. www.na.org – Narcotics Anonymous
3. www.marijuana-anonymous.org – Marijuana Anonymous
4. adultchildren.org – Site for adult children of alcoholics.
5. www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov – Dedicated to changing the culture of drinking at Colleges and Universities. Comprehensive research-based information on issues related to alcohol abuse, alcohol poisoning, and binge drinking among college students.
6. www.niaaa.nih.gov – National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
7. www.bacchusgamma.org – The Bacchus & Gamma Peer Education Network is an international association of college and university-based peer education networks focusing on alcohol abuse prevention and other related student health and safety issues.
8. www.friendsdrivesober.org – Website devoted to impaired driving prevention.
9. www.madd.org - The mission of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking.
10. www.studentstakingaction.org – Students Taking Action, Not Drugs.
11. www.factsontap.com – We are committed to changing attitudes and expectations around youth drinking and drug abuse and helping students make successful transitions from high school to college and beyond.
12. www.drugabuse.gov – The mission of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is to lead the Nation bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.
13. www.tobaccofreeu.org – Works on college campuses to prevent starting, promote quitting and try to prevent exposure to second hand smoke.
14. www.samhsa.gov – Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration.
15. www.nhtsa.dot.gov – National Highway Safety & Transportation.
16. www.B4UDrink.org – Traffic Safety Administration
17. www.ulifeline.org - An anonymous, confidential, online resource center, where college students can be comfortable searching for the information they need and want regarding emotional health (including alcohol and drug resources and information). Students can also utilize a confidential self-evaluator tool.
18. www.halfofus.com - Website that that seeks to create a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues and connect students to the appropriate resources to find help.
19. www.pascoasap.com - To develop, motivate, and encourage strategic relationships that reduce county risk factors and decrease substance abuse rates among youth and adults.