College Alcohol Prevention Program
Program Description
Alcohol consumption, binge drinking and driving under the influence on college campuses are on the rise across the country. A significant percentage of young drivers are involved in alcohol-related traffic crashes and are twice as likely as adult drivers to be in fatal crashes. College life supports an atmosphere of freedom of movement and an increased opportunity to consume alcohol. The problems contributing to the high crash rates of young people include risk taking, drinking and driving, poor driving judgments, faulty decision making, inexperience and peer pressure, and driving during nighttime and high-risk hours.
Program Purpose and Goal
The college age Alcohol Prevention Program includes a curriculum that has been developed for Clemson University’s freshmen seminar course CU101: University Success Skills which is housed in the Academic Support Center. The curriculum consists of the following components:
- Keeping in Motion: A Risk Awareness Presentation and Discussion
- Impaired Driving Case Study
- Media Literacy
- Peer Pressure and Decision Making
- A Personal Commitment to Traffic Safety
Furthermore, a College Lifesavers Conference has been implemented at Clemson University. The goal of the conference is to increase students’ awareness of traffic safety issues, the role of alcohol can play in making the road unsafe, and the prevention of underage drinking. The College Lifesavers Conference serves as a national model for a college age highway safety conference dedicated to reducing the tragic toll of deaths and injuries on our nation's roadways. Topics include underage drinking, drinking and driving, alcohol abuse, seat belt use, and driver education.
