News Release - UTEP Program Effective at Reducing Binge DrinkingMarch 13, 2007
Media Contact: Laura Cruz
Writer, University Communications
915/747-5977
UTEP Program Effective at Reducing Binge Drinking
Several UTEP students once identified as being at risk of becoming binge drinkers have overcome the danger with the help of the university’s Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) program.
Program officials released preliminary results of the effectiveness of the intervention program. BASICS encourages moderation in drinking and teaches safety skills to college-aged drinkers.
About 130 participants who were identified as at-risk for binge drinking recently completed a six-month follow up. Of those students, 67 percent no longer fall in the at-risk category and 50 percent are showing a decline in risk compared to their pre-intervention levels.
Launched in January 2006, the BASICS program uses a screening process to identify at-risk students and a motivational interviewing approach to educate them about the dangers of binge drinking.
“We believe that our project can become a model for the way that college campuses provide intervention services for risky alcohol use, both nationally and among campuses with high Hispanic enrollment,” said Joe Tomaka, Ph.D., program director and UTEP health promotion professor.
The program is supported by a $1.4 million, three-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
BASICS is housed in the Center for Lifestyle Enhancement in Union West, Room 211.
The center performs overall health awareness programs, and works with the counseling, swimming and fitness, and student health centers and other entities to improve student health.
For more information, call the center at 915/747-6328 or call Tomaka at 915/747-7237.
Contributor: Don Phillips
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