The Arizona Institutions of Higher Education network, a consortium primarily of health services employees at each of the three state universities, was awarded $30,000 from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to develop a media campaign to reduce and prevent underage drinking and impaired driving among students attending Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.
Beginning this month, the group will distribute ads, posters and literature on Arizona’s three state university campuses informing students, their parents and the campus communities about Arizona’s laws pertaining to underage drinking and impaired driving.
“Ultimately we want to reduce the numbers of students who are drinking and driving,” said Jon Rudy, health educator at NAU’s Fronske Health Center and member of the network. “These materials will expose them to norms that support safer and legal use of alcohol. If we can help students get to and from campus more safely then we’ve met our goal.”
The network proactively addresses alcohol and other drug use issues faced by Arizona college students. Its members include counselors, health educators, program coordinators, law enforcement professionals and community members who collaborate on local, state and national levels to disseminate information and provide training aimed at reducing use and prevalence of heavy and high risk student alcohol and drug use.
Information on the Arizona Institutions of Higher Education is available online.