CU takes 'environmental approach' to alcohol education Concerned that many students still engage in harmful drinking and use of other drugs, Cornell is developing an environmental approach to substance abuse prevention. While progress is being made in both policy and programming, there is more that can be done. My hope is that we will continue to make alcohol and other drug-abuse prevention a priority, working collaboratively on the development of new initiatives. To learn about the new approach, more than 50 campus leaders from across the campus gathered at the Statler May 13 for a seminar facilitated by Michael Rosati, training director for the Massachusetts-based Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention. Cornell's lead will be tracked with great interest by other colleges and universities, said Rosati, whose center is supported in part by funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
Most students think alcohol and other drug use at their school is higher than it actually is.
If we can correct that perception, we can reduce use. The seminar was offered as part of the Project Challenge initiative, which is funded by a grant to Cornell from the U.S. Department of Education's Drug-Free Schools Program. In the past two years, Project Challenge has sponsored training programs addressing substance abuse and violence for students and staff in residence halls, clinical volunteers at University Health Services and the coaching staff in the Department of Athletics and Physical Education. More than 15 mini-grants were awarded to student organizations, faculty and staff members for programming aimed at reducing violence and drug abuse on campus.