Counseling and Wellness Services utilizes a comprehensive range of prevention strategies. These strategies are directed at students, staff, faculty, parents, community members and other constituents that play a role in helping reduce the negative consequence high risk AOD use can have on the Carolina Community.  UNC-CH has adopted an environmental management approach to preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse.

Environmental Management Approaches
“Environmental approaches seek to bring about behavior change through multiple channels, both promoting positive behaviors and norms and also discouraging high-risk behaviors. It encompasses a range of activities from environmental change that includes policy changes at the campus and community level to early intervention programs aimed at students displaying signs of distress to awareness activities aimed at groups known to be at higher risk for engaging in problem behaviors, and finally, to health protection programs that aim to minimize the harm incurred by problem behaviors.

While environmental management encompasses a spectrum of programs and interventions from primary prevention to early intervention and treatment, it stresses the prevention of high-risk behavior through changes to the environment in which students make decisions about their alcohol and other drug use.” - www.highereducationcenter.org

To better execute an Environmental Management Approach the Campus and Community came together in the fall of 2007 to form the Campus Alcohol Task Force. The Task Force operates under the following principles to better achieve long term goals and objectives.

Guiding Principles/Philosophy:

The University and the Task Force recognize that: “Underage drinking and excessive drinking have negative effects on everything we’re trying to do as a university.” To address the scope of this problem, the Task Force believes:

• ·         Both senior university administration and student leaders must be engaged in the decision-making process
• Efforts must be supported and implemented by the entire university community
• A consistent comprehensive and coordinated approach using previously proven strategies is more likely to result in positive change
• Increased campus awareness of facts associated with alcohol abuse and related solutions should result in a willingness by the campus community to support environmental change.
• Programs should be tailored to meet the specific needs of three prevention approaches (universal education and resources, targeted outreach to high risk groups, individual interventions)
• Efforts should be positive, inclusive, and promote healthy student self determination

Long Term Goals:  

1.         Decrease reports of high-risk drinking among groups of students at highest risk for frequent and occasional binge drinking as identified through existing survey data (fraternity/sorority, first year students, etc).

2.         Decrease reports of negative consequences associated with high-risk drinking (violence, vandalism, alcohol poisoning, retention issues, etc.)

3.         Increase student retention, engagement and success while at Carolina.

 
Objective 1: Develop updated and comprehensive University-wide alcohol policy

Strategy        Institutionalize periodic and regular process to review and revise

                      alcohol policy as appropriate (new laws, philosophy, approaches, etc).  

 Strategy        Publicize the policy with students, staff and faculty, and in high traffic  

                      areas, at campus events, orientations, etc.

 
Objective 2: Increase consistent enforcement of all alcohol related policies and
laws to deter high-risk consumption and service.

Strategy         Normalize the enforcement and response protocols with all

                      constituencies (Town and Campus police, Residence Life and DOS,

                      Fraternity and Sorority Life and Athletics, Student Organizations, etc.)

 Strategy         Reduce the use of false identification among underage students.

 Strategy         Develop and implement a division wide alcohol policy violation database

                       to reduce the likelihood of troubled students falling through the cracks.

 
Objective 3: Address easy availability of alcohol as it relates to underage
purchase/possession and over consumption.

 Strategy        Decrease the marketing and promotion of alcoholic beverages both

                     on and off campus.

 Strategy       Implement a TIP training program.

 Strategy       Work with ABC Commission to provide identification readers to local bars

                     and restaurants. 

 Strategy       Work in cooperation with local bars and other alcohol serving

                     agencies to reduce over-serving and service to minors.

 Strategy        Invite town representatives to participate in subcommittee activities. 

 Strategy        Support and recognize the efforts of the Town Council, Down Town     

                     Partnership, and other agencies to support the development and

                     sustainability of family friendly traditions and establishments around       

                    campus.

 Strategy       Improve relationships between neighborhood residents and students

                     residing in the community (Good Neighbor and other initiatives).


Objective 4: Create an environment that engages the entire university community
to promote healthy behaviors and positive choices.

 Strategy       Increase the availability of attractive, student-centered, alcohol free

                     social activities located both on and off the campus.

 Strategy       Correct misperceptions regarding high-risk drinking (social norming

                     media and advocacy).

 Strategy       Produce a Task Force Report on alcohol and ask the Chancellor or

                     Provost to distribute to Faculty, Deans, and staff to increase awareness of

                     risks associated with high risk and illegal drinking.

 Strategy      Collaborate with colleges and departments to encourage faculty, staff,

                    and student participation in service learning opportunities benefiting

                    the community.

Objective 5: Provide adequate student centered social activities, educational programs
and proven effective intervention services.

 Strategy       Conduct an assessment of the University current alcohol related substance

                     abuse programs and services.

Strategy       Develop, implement, and promote evidence based campus substance

                     abuse intervention and treatment services.

 Strategy       Develop a programs and services model based on best practice principles.