Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 10/11/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   32

SLU TO HOST ANNUAL ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK OCT. 23-27
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University will celebrate "Alcohol Awareness
Week" Oct. 23-27 with a series of daily events that blend education, awareness and fun to
promote responsible and safe student behavior in relation to alcohol use.
     This year's theme is "Pouring a Concrete Foundation for Responsible Drinking," said
Jenny Hollander, a University Counseling Center counselor, who is coordinating Alcohol
Awareness Week activities. The week's events are funded by a grant from the Louisiana
Highway Safety Commission, she said.
     On Monday, Oct. 23, in the Student Union Mall, students can don special goggles and try
their hand at athletic feats such as basketball free throws. The goggles, nicknamed "beer
goggles," simulate alcohol's physical effects by distorting vision and equilibrium, Hollander said.
     CHOICES, a program aimed at teaching underage students about the choices they have
about drinking and the consequences of drinking illegally, will be presented at 7 p.m. on
Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the Student Union Theatre. CHOICES was developed last year as an
outreach program for area high school students and has been widely praised as a model program.
It includes a skit by university students, a game show that brings audience members onto the
stage to answer questions about drugs and alcohol, and a compelling video produced by
Southeastern and Baton Rouge television station WBRZ. 
     Last year, CHOICES was presented to more than 4,000 students in all Tangipahoa Parish
high schools and reached an even wider audience when it was aired on WBRZ's "Sunday
Journal" program and on local cable channel FPTV.
     Wednesday, Oct. 25, the Drug and Alcohol Committee will stage another of its monthly 
                             (MORE)
DRUG AND ALCOHOL WEEK   Add One
"prevention programs" in the Student Union Mall. Volunteers will give out chocolate candies
with alcohol messages attached to passers-by who are willing to test their knowledge about
alcohol and drug facts.
     Special give-aways for students throughout the week will include t-shirts and magnets
with the warning signs of alcohol poisoning, Hollander said.
     Capt. Pete Collins, who lectures on alcohol throughout the country under the sponsorship
of Dominos Pizza, will talk about the alcohol-related tragedies he has seen as a Mississippi State
Trooper. His free talk is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 in the Student Union
Ballroom. 
     Collin's talk will be followed by "Mocktails," a no-alcohol party with food, music and a
contest among student organizations to see which can concoct the best non-alcoholic beverage.
Prizes will be awarded for Best Tasting Drink, Best Theme and Best Decorated Booth.
     Drug and Alcohol Committee members and other volunteers plan to bring give-aways
and beer goggles to Lady Lions volleyball games at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, and 7 p.m.,
Thursday, Oct. 26, at the University Center arena.
     For additional information about Alcohol Awareness Week, call Hollander at 504-549-
3773.     
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf00.htm