Grand Valley's Alcohol Education, Research and Training (ALERT) Labs was deemed a model for the nation and received a $127,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help disseminate its program nationally and enhance the recovery program.
The announcement was made August 16 by U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, and Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education Gene Hickok.
Nancy Harper, ALERT Labs director, said the grant will allow for program enhancements like updating the Web site, hosting conferences, creating videos and revising the university's substance abuse policies. ALERT Labs also runs Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for students six days a week.
The grant also allows ALERT Labs to expand its recovery program, which was established last year. Harper said the Pathways Recovery Program will be a "community building" program with activities throughout the year for students recovering from alcohol and other drug addictions. About 25 students were in the program last year, some living on campus. About 20 other students are expected to join Pathways Recovery this year.
Harper said ALERT Labs staff will base Pathways Recovery on the successful Passport program, which began six years ago. Passport matches mentor students with first-year students to create a community and heighten awareness of opportunities for a substance-free college experience. Two years ago, a Passport Living Center was created on campus. Students who sign up for this housing option sign a contract pledging that they will abstain from drugs and alcohol.
"The goal of these community building activities is the same as for Passport: to create bonds between non-drinking and drugging students so that they can rely on each other for social outlets and support in resisting pressures to use alcohol and other drugs," Harper said.
ALERT Labs began in 1999. By using a "social norms" approach to correct popular misperceptions, GVSU programs have helped to increase the number of Grand Valley students who abstain or drink moderately. For example, a 2003 survey (using 1999 as a baseline) of Grand Valley students found:
- a decrease in frequent binge drinking of 59 percent;
- a decrease in occasional binge drinking of 32 percent;
- and a increase in moderation and abstention of 19 percent.
