Pennsylvania Western University has been awarded three Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board grants totaling $102,022 for use in prevention efforts at California, Clarion and Edinboro campuses.

 

All three are two-year grants. Per-campus allocations are California, $32,762; Clarion, $33,200; and Edinboro, $36,060.

 

The funds will be used to:

  • Increase safety patrols during peak times to target underage and dangerous drinking;
  • Train campus law enforcement in understanding Pennsylvania liquor laws; and
  • Train campus law enforcement and staff in motivational interviewing.

 

Motivational interviewing, a communication approach designed to help people find their own motivation to make a positive behavior change, is already being used on PennWest campuses.

 

“It was one of the best trainings I have received,” said Jim McGee, PennWest assistant vice president for Student Affairs. “It is one of the main strategies we use to help people, not only with alcohol and drugs, but in a variety of situations.”

 

The PASSHE Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition was also awarded a PLCB grant for $39,353.

 

“The funds will increase the capacity and comprehensiveness of prevention efforts at PASSHE universities not receiving PLCB funding, through both innovative and evidence-informed strategies to address underage drinking and high-risk or dangerous drinking, and to promote responsible alcohol consumption by those of legal drinking age,” said Donna George, coalition coordinator.

 

Activities in grant year one include:

  • Training and implementation of Project Connect, which helps students feel a sense of connection;
  • Peer education; and
  • Use of Screen U Alcohol, an electronic screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment tool.

 

Grant year two will include:

  • Distribution of the Optimal College Town Assessment; and
  • Continued use of Screen U Alcohol.

 

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