SBIRT Implementation Opportunities and Challenges in a College Setting

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) awarded the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) a 3 year grant to reduce binge/heavy drinking and its related negative consequences among students ages 18 to 24. UTEP is a public institution that shares a common border with Juarez, Mexico and has a student body of over 18,500 undergraduates. A 2004 study found that 71 percent of UTEP students (largely freshmen and sophomores) consume alcohol and 46 percent reported binge drinking in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. In addition, UTEP's proximity to Mexico, which has a legal drinking age of 18, places students at a high risk of binge drinking and drinking and driving. Screening is conducted through self-report questionnaires distributed in UTEP's introductory course, other core curriculum courses, Miner Village (on-campus housing), Greek organizations, and athletic programs. Students exhibiting evidence of serious alcohol or drug dependency or psychological distress at any time during the program activities are referred to the University Counseling Center or an off-campus agency for additional assessment and psychological assistance. The use of peer leaders (i.e., advanced graduate students or mature students in their final undergraduate years) to conduct brief intervention is intended to provide positive modeling of safe behaviors and aimed at increasing the credibility of the BASICS message among college student peers. This presentation will highlight this program's approach to addressing the unique needs of this border city's college population.