Media Contact: Clara Potes-Fellow, 562-951-4800, cpotes-fellow@calstate.edu

3rd Annual CSU Alcohol Education Conference to Start April 22nd

(April 20, 2004)—Lesley Sacher, an addictions treatment expert involved in prevention and education, and Joel W. Grube, a researcher on factors influencing drinking among young adults, will deliver keynote addresses for the CSU’s Third Annual Alcohol Education Conference, April 22 and 23 at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach.

Panels will include presentations on the evaluation of alcohol prevention programs, alcohol education curriculum, social norms marketing, counseling programs, marijuana prevention, alcohol promotions on campus, the sober driver initiative, partnering with community agencies for alcohol prevention, and the role of law enforcement, community organizing and media advocacy in alcohol prevention.

“Student alcohol abuse is the number one problem on university campuses nationwide,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. “This conference will offer new perspectives for the continued development of campus alcohol prevention policies, programs and procedures.”

The annual conference is part of the education and prevention programs of the CSU’s comprehensive systemwide alcohol policy, adopted by the Trustees in 2001, to curb student alcohol abuse. Panelists include CSU representatives, students, and experts from alcohol prevention agencies.

Since the alcohol policy was implemented, the CSU has achieved a number of concrete results including a 5 to 10 percent reduction in alcohol abuse, a 20 to 25 percent reduction in the number of alcohol-related judicial cases, and a 20 to 30 percent reduction in driving-under-the-influence occurrences.

The CSU systemwide policy calls for more education and paid training for those who provide alcohol education, intervention and treatment for students, limits on alcohol vendor advertising, data gathering and regular reviews of CSU alcohol policies, collaborative efforts between campuses and communities, and partnerships with local law enforcement.

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, approximately 409,000 students and 44,000 faculty and staff. Every year, the system graduates about 77,000 students with baccalaureate degrees. The CSU is renowned for the quality of its teaching and for the job-ready graduates it produces. Its mission is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever-changing needs of the people of California. With its commitment to excellence, diversity and innovation, the CSU is the university system that is working for California. See www.calstate.edu.