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Environmental-Level Strategies

Environmental-level strategies aim to change the alcohol use environment in the campus, community, or both, and thus can affect the student body as a whole or in large subgroups such as those under age 21. Most of the environmental-level strategies on this site seek to reduce alcohol availability, one of the most effective ways to decrease alcohol use and related problems. A few strategies listed below try to reduce alcohol-related harm directly without restricting availability, and are included because colleges commonly use them. This guide isolated these strategies for assessment, and some may not be effective if used alone. Still, they may be useful parts of a multi-strategy effort.

a = New intervention (2019)

b = Intervention changed position in the matrix

All environmental-level strategies rated by CollegeAIM

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Lower costs $ Mid-range costs $$ Higher costs $$$
Higher effectiveness
Moderate effectiveness
Lower effectiveness
Too few robust studies to rate effectiveness—or mixed results


NOTE: Cost ratings are based on a consensus among research team members of the relative program and staff costs for adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a strategy. Actual costs will vary by institution, depending on size, existing programs, and other campus and community factors.