SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001 - The federal Department of Education has recognized a San Diego State University program as a shining example of how to curb alcohol and drug abuse in college communities.
SDSU's Collegiate-Community Alcohol Prevention Partnership (C-CAPP) will receive an Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Model Program award at the Department of Education's 15th annual National Meeting on Alcohol, Other Drugs and Violence Prevention in Higher Education on Thursday, Nov. 8 in Washington, D.C.
C-CAPP brings together local colleges, students, police, bar owners and other community partners to fight alcohol abuse through education, research, enforcement and other measures. It is one of only six programs nationwide to earn the award.
"This program exemplifies SDSU's commitment to student safety and community leadership," said John Clapp, who in 1997 partnered with fellow Social Work faculty member Louise Stanger to create C-CAPP. "We're proud that the Department of Education recognized this program's success in preventing alcohol abuse and chose it as a model for other universities to emulate."
To qualify for the award, programs had to be in existence for at least two years and show evidence that they effectively combated alcohol abuse. C-CAPP research has shown that the binge drinking rate at SDSU is about half of the national average.
Clapp said major C-CAPP accomplishments include:
*Reduced binge-drinking rates while improving student education about drinking and acting responsibly.
*Created cooperatives between multiple law enforcement agencies, bars and student groups aimed at curbing alcohol abuse.
*$367,000 in new grants earned this Fall to expand its activities and share the program with other schools.
Doug Miller coordinates C-CAPP's efforts with the SDSU University Police. "The program's success relies on the cooperation of many institutions and organizations, including law enforcement on and off-campus," Miller said. "This is a truly comprehensive effort that gets stronger and more effective every year."
James Kitchen, SDSU vice president for Student Affairs, lauded faculty, staff and other key C-CAPP participants for their dedication to the program. "Preventing alcohol abuse is a top priority for this university, and the proof of SDSU's commitment is evident in C-CAPP's extraordinary results," he said.
Kitchen and Stanger recently gave a presentation on C-CAPP at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Regional Conference and received high praise for the program.
Clapp, Stanger and Miller traveled to Washington D.C. to receive the commendation. They were joined by Marian Novak, who helps coordinate the program with the off-campus community, Marsha Lee, C-CAPP coalition chairwoman and owner of the PB Bar and Grill; and James Lange, a C-CAPP researcher who SDSU hired in October to bolster the university's alcohol prevention efforts.
C-CAPP will receive $99,000 to help disseminate the program model to other universities nationwide. Clapp said the program is planning to produce a high-end Web site and handbook to show other universities how to establish similar programs in their communities.
C-CAPP also recently received a $268,000 alcohol prevention grant from the Department of Education that will be paid out over the next two years. This grant will fund the creation and operations of a C-CAPP Law Enforcement Task Force specifically designed to enforce alcohol laws and policies. The task force will comprise representatives from SDSU University Police, the San Diego Police Department, University of San Diego, University of California at San Diego and the state office of Alcohol Beverage Control. The grant will also pay for a media campaign designed to educate students about increased alcohol enforcement and the consequences of violating alcohol laws and policies. The media campaign is scheduled to debut in early 2002.
Clapp credited others he said have been invaluable in implementing C-CAPP, including the SDSU Division of Student Affairs, the San Diego Police Department and other colleges and universities in town.
San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 78 areas, master's degrees in 61 areas and doctorates in 13. SDSU's more than 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future.