Mini-grants help fight substance abuse/violence

By Roger Segelken

Hoping to address connections between substance abuse and violence, University Health Services is again offering mini-grants of up to $1,000 to support the development of programs that can enhance the social, cultural and learning environment on campus.

Programs can be of an artistic, social, educational, recreational or entertainment nature and should reach a significant and diverse number of students. According to Janis Talbot, director of health education, "proposals should focus on increasing community awareness, enhancing the environment or offering strategies for the prevention of violence and drug abuse." Faculty and staff members and Cornell student organizations may apply for grants.

Findings from a survey conducted by the University Health Services last fall showed some of the serious consequences students identified as a result of their alcohol or drug use. Twenty-three percent reported some form of public misconduct (such as trouble with police, fighting or arguments, DWI/DUI and vandalism) at least once during the past year; 16 percent reported experiencing some kind of serious personal problem (such as suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide, being hurt or injured, or sexual assault) during the past year. Of those who reported having unwanted sexual intercourse, 89 percent said they had been using alcohol or drugs prior to the experience -- reflecting an increase in women's vulnerability while under the influence of substances.

The mini-grants are one component of Project Challenge, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Safe and Drug-free Schools Program. Last year at Cornell, seven grants were awarded to groups for a variety of initiatives, including these:

• The Cornell Women's Resources Center, Watermargin Co-op and Women's Handbook Collective purchased a variety of books on drug abuse and violence for the resource center's library.

• The ILR Women's caucus, along with several other student organizations, sponsored a program on "Workplace Violence" with Tia Dennenberg and Besty Wesman as guest speakers.

• College of Veterinary Medicine staff members John Saidla and Nita Irby will use their grant to bring Joe Gloyd from the American Veterinary Medical Association to speak at the "Professional Regulation" (VTMED 557) course this fall. Gloyd's presentation will include information on chemical impairment among veterinarians along with discussion on the prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery support available for those with substance abuse problems.

• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Coalition will offer "Queer Survivors: A Conference on Abuse and Sexual Identity" on Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Founders Room of Anabel Taylor Hall. The program is open to the community and will include a series of five interactive presentations given by local agencies addressing topics such as childhood abuse, domestic violence and healing.

• Community Development plans a campus residential mediation program for undergraduate students. Student volunteers and staff will be trained to facilitate this alternative for dispute resolution.

• The SAFER peer educators are working with AIDSWork to implement a training program for peer educators using the "harm reduction model" to address alcohol and other drugs and sexual health issues. Late this fall new workshops will be available for women's groups across campus.

• The Clinical Volunteer Program, SAFER peer educators and the Feminist Action League will sponsor a keynote speaker on sexual assault prevention for Health Awareness Week scheduled for February l998. Jackson Katz, from the Center for Sports and Society, will discuss "Football, Feminism, and Other Contemporary Contradictions." The week will focus on increasing awareness of drug abuse and how it is linked to sexual assault.

The mini grant proposal review committee this year encourages faculty, staff and student organizations to submit creative and original proposals that include social, recreational, artistic or entertainment programming as well as educational projects, Talbot said. For example, funds could be used to support art exhibits or contests, unique team building activities, theatrical presentations or film festivals that meet grant objectives.

Applications for mini grants are available at the Health Education office, level two of Gannett Health Center, or by calling 255-4782 or visiting the University Health Services Web page at http://www.sas.cornell.edu/gannett/he/he.html