CHOICES:
An Innovative
Approach to Alcohol
Education
Daniel F. O’Neill, Psy.D.
Linda L. McDowell, Ph.D.
Millersville University
Freshman Year Experience National Conference
February 9, 2009
Orlando, Florida
CALL TO ACTION
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A Call to Action, 2002 NIAAA
What Colleges Need to Know Now: Update
on College Drinking, 2008 NIAAA
Millersville University Task Force on
Alcohol, 1999
THE All-TOO-FAMILIAR
BAD NEWS
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1700 alcohol related unintentional injury student
deaths ages 18-24 in 2001 (6% increase from 1998)
500,000 students between the ages of 18 and
24 are unintentionally injured under the
influence of alcohol (Hingson et al., 2002).
696,000 students 18-24 assaulted by another
student who has been drinking
97,000 students 18-24 victims of alcohol related
sexual assault or date rape
 (Hingson et al 2005)
Millersville University
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8,300 students
Founded 1855
One of 14 state owned PA State System of
Higher Education
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79% full time undergraduates
56% of undergrads are women
Most students from PA or contiguous states
32% residential students
Millersville University
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American College Health Assessment (2007)
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21.9% students did not use alcohol in past year
36.5% students did not use alcohol in past 30 days
59.9% drink 4 or less when they partied or socialized
85% use designated drivers
84.7% ate before or during drinking occasion
14.1% used marijuana in last month
(727 randomly selected respondents to self-report online survey)
Prevention Efforts
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Prevention Programming
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Wellness Center Peer Educators
Alcohol Screening @ Counseling Center
Late Night Activities through Student Program Office
E-chug
Stall Talk
Facebook “flyers”
CHOICES for students who violated the Alcohol Policy
CHOICES: Background
 Marlatt
& Parks (2005)
 University of Washington
 Alcohol Skills Training Program
 BASICS
 Published by The Change Companies
CHOICES
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Facilitated Discussion
Non Judgmental
Harm Reduction NOT Abstinence Based
Motivational Interviewing (Miller)
Four sections
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Reflections on personal relationship with alcohol
Facts
Risk
Strategies
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http://www.changecompanies.net/flash/pages
/prevention/choices/journal/index.html
Orientation Program
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2007 Fall Orientation Program
First formal Orientation activity for students
Faculty and Staff facilitators
Orientation Groups
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25students
Orientation Leader (upperclassman)
90 minute groups
~$5000 cost for all first year students
Grant Supported Funding: PA. Liquor Control Board
RECRUITING FACULTY & STAFF
Appeal across the University
Letter to potential facilitators
Follow up phone calls
Diverse voices:
More than “the choir” (e.g.. Football
Coach, Priest, Head of Admissions…)
FACULTY TRAINING
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Pilot Program Training
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George Parks, Ph.D.
Follow up small group training
Second Year Training
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Small group training for new facilitators
Veteran “brush ups”
Training Guidelines
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Background information: defining the problem
Careful review of journal
Tips for running an effective group
How to involve the Orientation Leader
Encouraging discussion
Preventing student “war stories”
Keeping track of time
STUDENT TRAINING
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Orientation Leaders
CHOICES group
Expectations—encouraging participation
Working with a facilitator
Appropriate “sharing” of college experience
Packets for First Year Students
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Interactive Journal
BAC cards
Alcohol Poisoning Information
MU Alcohol Brochure
Pens
Pre-Test and Post-Test
Assessment
 Student
Satisfaction Survey
 Pre/Post test data
 Faculty/Staff feedback
Student Evaluation
“The Choices program was helpful.”
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2007
o
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o
Strongly Agree
9.82%
Agree
49.65%
Did not attend
7.47%
Disagree
23.65%
Strongly Disagree 9.41%
Student evaluation:
“The Choices Program was helpful.”
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2008
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Strongly Agree
24.19%
Agree
35.40%
Neutral
25.58%
Disagree
9.95%
Strongly Disagree 6.46%
I thnk it’s important to have A plan in mind
to limit my drinking before I go to a Party
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Strongly Agree: 52.20%
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Agree: 39.96%
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Disagree: 6.27%
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Strongly Disagree:
0.39%
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SA
A
D
SD
66.99%
26.93%
2.56%
0.20%
Question 9:
If a friend passes out…
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SA
A
D
DS
62.68%
28.31%
5.78%
1.86%
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SA
A
D
DS
77.38%
14.69%
1.57%
2.84%
Facilitator Feedback
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“In the end, I asked them if they had
learned anything new. They said that a lot
of the CHOICES material was covered in
high school classes, but they did learn:
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how to recognize alcohol poisoning
how quickly alcohol gets in the bloodstream
how long it takes to leave
the 24/7 Safe Haven rule at Health Services”
FACILITATOR FEEDBACK
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Well I survived! It was a great experience. My
first group was barely awake and except for 3
were very reluctant to talk. My second group
was much different. They were very outgoing
and a little too honest for comfort! Their
Orientation Leader was probably more involved
that she should have been but it was
very helpful.
FACILITATOR FEEDBACK
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I wish I had a better feeling about my performance
yesterday. The second session was a bit better than the
first. About half the group showed up late to the first
session. In both groups but especially the first, only 2 or
3 where slightly vocal. Some would have rather died
then lift the pencil or read the booklet. Tough crowd. I
wish I had observed a group or been able to co-facilitate
with another staff person. I don’t think everyone showed
up to Choices. In the second group one of the freshmen
was a member of my Brownie troop several years ago. I
don’t think that was a problem for her but I can’t be sure.
IMPACT
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Common Language
Over four years all students will have
participated in a CHOICES group
Strong foundation for follow-up prevention
efforts
Consistency in both prevention and
intervention efforts: CHOICES…..BASICS
GOALS FOR THE FUTURE
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Expand faculty participation
Reduce group size
Involve Orientation Leaders more
effectively
Expand Assessment to include follow up
Connect CHOICES and ACHA
Lessons Learned
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Program Integrity
Orientation Leader
expectations/training
# of Facilitators
Timing
Late Attrition
Assessment
QUESTIONS?
Contact Information
Daniel O’Neill
 [email protected]
 717.872.3127
 Linda McDowell
 [email protected]
 717.871.2388
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