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SPARC

Study to Prevent Alcohol-Related Consequences

Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina

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WIN CASH MONEY

& GREAT PRIZES

Win just by keeping the SPARC key tag on your keychain!
You could win $5 on the spot if you get "SPARC checked"!
$50 per month will be given away all semester long!

If we spot you with a SPARC key tag, or if one of our
members asks you if you have one already -- and you
show them your SPARC key tag, you win $5 on the spot!

10 winners per month ($50) will be given away, each semester.

Get a free key tag by participating in a SPARC sponsored
event or by taking a quick SPARC survey.

More SPARC key tags and information on how to prevent
alcohol-related consequences are available at:

http://counselingcenter.wcu.edu/

Now We Know...

...68% of Western Carolina University students find it easier to make friends without drinking.
(SPARC 2006 survey of WCU students)

...the perception that most college students high-risk drink or abuse alcohol is not accurate.

...most Western students make positive choices to reduce their risk of alcohol-related consequences.

...this information was collected by SPARC, a campus/community coalition working to reduce negative alcohol consequences.

...you can join the healthy norm by choosing not to drink or by having 4 or fewer drinks per occasion. Making friends has never been easier!

Top 5 Things You Should

Know About SPARC

SPARC is about empowering the students to have the best college experience possible.

SPARC's mission is to prevent the negative consequences of alcohol use that can affect fellow students.
SPARC is not about taking away students "fun". Students have every right to enjoy their college experience. SPARC is about working with students to create initiatives, policies, and leadership opportunities that will give them more social options at WCU.

SPARC is about collaboraton, leadership, and opportunities.

Coalition members will include students, community members, faculty, and university administrators.
Being a member of SPARC students can voice their opinion about alcohol issues/problems on/off campus, and help WCU change for the better.
SPARC is a leadership opportunity for students to network and build their resume.

SPARC is part of a major research initiative.

SPARC is a $3.2 million initiative funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the North Carolina Department of Mental Health and Human Services.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will gather data for three years (2004-2006). (Extended to 2009).
SPARC provides a full-time campus organizer to ensure consistent efforts.

There are lots of ways to get involved in SPARC:

Join the leadership team
Volunteer with the coalition
Sign up for the mailing list

To join SPARC or find out more, contact the SPARC Organizer:

Rick S. McClendon, M.Ed.

Study to Prevent Alcohol Related Consequences

225 Bird Building, Counseling and Psychological

Services Center

Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723

828-227-7469

rmcclendon@email.wcu.edu

Center for Alcohol & Drug Education

and Programs

The Center for Alcohol & Drug Education and Programs provides resources and information to the students, faculty, and staff members of Western Carolina University. The Center offers programs and services to our community and is located in the Bird Building room 224. Here you can find several publications and resources to help students, faculty, and staff become knowledgeable of the affects of alcohol and drugs. The Center also provides many opportunities for members of the Western Carolina family to share and participate in preventing the negative consequences of alcohol and drug abuse that directly, or in some cases indirectly, impact the Western family.

"Think Outside the Bottle" is a group that will provide a connection for students and their peers about social pressures related to the culture of alcohol. This group is appropriate for students who have been affected by someone else's drinking; students who want to make a positive change and seek healthy social activities; students who want to know how to talk with their peers about drinking, and students who are personally wanting to change their own drinking behavior.

LEADERSHIP/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH SPARC:

There are many opportunities for students to get involved in SPARC such as:

Applying to become an Intern in the Center for Alcohol & Drug Education and Programs
Join the student organization GAMMA (Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol)
Receive freshman course credit by enrolling in the TOTB Western Peaks Course
Becoming a Certified Peer Educator and RASP Certification
Other leadership positions available through the Alcohol and Drug Committee

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS OFFERED

TOTB Alcohol Education Seminar; offered on Tuesday's each week from 5pm-6pm in the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, 2nd floor Bird Building.
TOTB 1:1 Mentoring Sessions will be available based on appointment.
TOTB Western Peaks is a 2-credit hour course for freshman studies only. The course is designed to help students create their own college environment that is alcohol free and that break down the negative social norms associated with college.

OTHER ALCOHOL RELATED OUTREACH PROGRAMS

GAMMA Grab a Date (Fall 2008)
Alcohol Screening Day (Fall 2008)
Alcohol Awareness Week (Fall 2008)

VOLUNTEER!!!

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

ALL ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE!

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKING IN THE WESTERN CAROLINA COMMUNITY!

CALL RICK MCCLENDON FOR DETAILS: 828-227-7469