World Wide Web Sites For Campus Alcohol Policy Formation, Education And Research

College Student Journal, June, 1999 by Thomas R. Syre, Jacqueline A. Pesa, David E. Cockley

There are four important world wide web (www) sites for alcohol policy formation, education and research. These sites provide a myriad of materials and services to college administrators, faculty, staff and students interested in combating alcohol use and abuse on campuses today. These sites include a U.S. government agency, a private non-profit organization, a higher education news agency and a mid-west research university. The four www sites are discussed.

Background

Cyberspace provides instant access to relevant and timely campus alcohol information. There is an important government organization, a private non-profit organization, a higher education news agency and a mid-west research university which are on the www providing information about campus alcohol policy formation, education and research. These sites are particularly relevant given the recent problems (ex. alcohol overdoses, arrests, riots, and vandalism) associated with alcohol use and abuse both on and around college campuses during the 1997-1998 academic year.

Four www sites are presented. These sites provide immediate downloadable information. They also provide a means for requesting materials, which can be sent by the United States postal service. Materials include publications, databases, press releases, research programs, research findings, conference announcements, and other resources. Also, a number of books, white papers, and articles are available. The organizations and materials are listed.

Organizations

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

The NIAAA is an organization in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health. Its web site provides a broad range of publication, databases, press releases, research program, conference announcements., and other materials. Most of these materials can be downloaded.

   Website: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov
   Telephone: 301-443-3860

Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

This non-profit private organization is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It focuses its efforts on alcohol and other drug issues on the college campus. The U.S. Department of Education funds it. This organization publishes a variety of materials including magazines, newsletters, fact sheets and a variety of reports. Some of these materials are "downloadable" from its website.

   Website: http://www.edc.org/hec
   E-mail: HigheredCtr@edc.org
   Phone: 800-676-1730

CORE Institute of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

The CORE Institute at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale researches and publishes alcohol and drug information. The institute assists colleges and universities with researching their own student populations. CORE has assisted over two hundred colleges and universities and 100,000 of the nationis students in analyzing and reporting alcohol and other drug behaviors.

   Website: http:www.siu.edu/~coreinst/
   E-mail: coreinst@siu.edu
   Telephone: 618-453-4366

Chronicle of Higher Education

The Chronicle plays an important role in news dissemination regarding alcohol and other drug use on college campuses throughout each academic year. Recent news stories have highlighted deaths on campus from alcohol overdose, feature articles about alcohol and drug policy formation, and information about the 1997-1998 arrests, violence and riots associated with alcohol abuse. The Chronicle website has hundreds of alcohol-related stories cataloged by year, volume, issue and page number. Access to the website requires a current subscription to the Chronicle and a password.

   Website: http:www.chronicle.com/
   E-mail: Editor@chronicle.com
   Phone: 202-466-1000

Closing

The world wide web has opened up new avenues for access to information, education and services. This is especially true for the field of campus alcohol use and abuse.

THOMAS R. SYRE, PH.D. Associate Professor Health Sciences James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA 22807

JACQUELINE A. PESA, PH.D. Assistant Professor Health Education Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 46202

DAVID E. COCKLEY, DRPH Assistant Professor Health Services James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA 22807