December 16, 2002

Campus to benefit from alcohol abuse prevention grant

CSUS will be one of the beneficiaries of a $1.57 million grant program to address student binge drinking and alcohol abuse. The project will involve education, prevention and enforcement strategies for the California State University's 23 campuses.

A news conference to announce the grant will take place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18 between the Library Quad and the University Union. In case of rain, it will be held in the Union.

The event will feature CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed and Maria Contreras-Sweet, the state's Business, Transportation and Housing secretary. Others expected to attend include Jerry R. Jolly, acting director of the department of Alcoholic Beverage Control; Teresa Becher, interim director of the Office of Traffic Safety and Kathryn Jett, director of Alcohol and Drug Programs.

CSUS President Donald R. Gerth will open the event and will be joined by two other CSU presidents, Manuel Esteban of Chico and John Welty of Fresno. Students involved with alcohol prevention programs on campus will also be in attendance. Heather Dunn-Carlton, chair of the campus alcohol advisory council, helped to organize the event and worked on getting the grant.

The site of the event can be located by a crashed car representing the danger of drinking and driving. Students will also demonstrate alcohol impairment by wearing special goggles that simulate the level of alcohol sufficient for a DUI.

There are flags in the area, each representing four students a day who die as a result of alcohol related injuries.

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