Nancy Harper, director of Grand Valley's Alcohol, Education, Research and Training (ALERT) Labs, said using the social norms approach to alcohol and drug use has helped decrease frequent heavy drinking on campus by 48 percent. The ALERT program has been designated a "model program" by the U.S. Department of Education.
Because of that designation, the Drug-Free Communities department within the Health and Human Services Office in Washington, D.C., awarded a community coalition, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Partnership for Healthy Communities, a $100,000 grant that will enable ALERT Labs to bring a version of its program to Kent County schools. Harper wrote the grant and will serve as project director.
Harper said ALERT is working with school district representatives on details. A program could begin in January and will include prevention programs, screenings and interventions for students identified as having problems.
The ALERT Labs will host an open house for the community on Thursday, October 27, beginning at 4 p.m. The event will celebrate ALERT's new location (Grand Valley Apartments -- Oakland, off of 42nd Street, east side of the Allendale Campus) and celebrate the success of its new Pathways to Recovery program.
Grand Valley is one of nine universities in the country to have an established recovery program to help students with addictions to alcohol or drugs. Daily 12-step meetings are held on campus and there is a support system, including recovery housing, for recovering students.
During the open house, two students will talk publicly about their recovery. They are expected to speak at 6 p.m., following remarks from GVSU President Mark A. Murray.
Media note: Reporters are welcome to cover the open house; recovery students ask that their last names not be used for publication, and no photos be taken of them.
