Connecticut grant aimed at curbing underage drinking | Press Releases

Fairfield University has been awarded $150,000 over three years by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to curb underage drinking. Fairfield University will provide university students with an internship experience, Fairfield Corps , which consists of peer education regarding the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs as well as education and programming to Bridgeport Middle School children.

In congratulating Fairfield University, Governor M. Jodi Rell underscored that "DMHAS data not only showed alcohol as the number one substance of use by teens and young adults, but that Connecticut's rate was 16% higher than national rates." Fairfield University's program is intended to reverse these trends by reaching middle school children as they begin to use substances as well as by challenging college students to make healthier and safer choices.

According to Dr. Susan Birge, assistant vice president/director of Counseling & Psychological Services and author of the grant, "This program is a superb complement to Fairfield University's comprehensive efforts to address alcohol use and abuse. The peer education component of our program will create the student-to-student approach which is highly effective. Fairfield University currently provides extensive education, consequences for violating the law, and a myriad of treatment options." Fairfield Corps will also strengthen the partnership between Fairfield University and the Bridgeport community. Dr. John Ramos, Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools said, "this program is exciting and adds a much needed program for our middle school students."