U18 Grantees

• PI -- Frances Cohen
         franc@uri.edu
         401-874-2101
• Title of Project: Environmental Methods with Town and Greek Coalitions
• U01 Researcher Collaborator: Mark Wood, Ph.D.
• NIAAA Scientific Staff Collaborator: Ralph Hingson, Sc.D., M.P.H.



• Summary:
  This project, popularly called “Common Ground,” supports and strengthens existing alliances to create environmental change to reduce college student substance abuse. Working with the Narragansett-Town Coalition and with the Greek Advisory Committee, we are formulating, initiating, and evaluating environmental strategies designed to reduce underage drinking, alcohol abuse, and negative consequences in the local community and among fraternity and sorority students.
  
  In our first year of operation, we have worked with both coalitions to implement the Coalition Development Model (Florin et al., 1993) to mobilize, establish organizational structure, build capacity for action, and plan for action. The implementation and evaluation phases begin in the fall of 2005. Action plans include a focus on the prevention of drunk driving (designated driver program, safe ride program, enhanced enforcement); institution of responsible beverage service; social host training for students; and a fall media campaign.

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