National Alcohol Screening Day returns to Kent State University for its 15th year. National Alcohol Screening Day is a promotional outreach effort to reduce and prevent at-risk drinking by providing anonymous screening for alcohol-use disorders. The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Kent Student Center.
“National Alcohol Screening Day is an excellent way to educate the Kent State University community about alcohol-use disorders and related health issues,” said Scott Dotterer, coordinator of Kent State’s Office of Health Promotion.
Free and anonymous screening is open to all students, faculty, staff and community members.
“It’s important to note that these screenings are conducted anonymously and are informational, not diagnostic,” Dotterer said.
The screening form, based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, asks participants about their drinking habits and if their behaviors have changed due to their drinking.
The screening process takes approximately 20 minutes. Once the screening is completed and the form is scored, participants will have the opportunity to discuss the results with Kent State mental health professionals and graduate students in the counseling program.
“The entire screening process moves quickly,” Dotterer said. “It definitely creates a greater sense of awareness on the importance of making healthy and safe choices when it comes to alcohol.”
Free food and beverages will be available for participants. In addition, event participants will receive a resource bag of educational materials on alcohol-related issues and concerns.
Moderate and Non-drinkers
Light and moderate drinkers and even people who do not drink can still benefit from the screening process.
“In past years, we’ve had some participants indicate on the screening form that they don’t drink,” Dotterer said. “Yet it was still a positive experience for them because they were able to discuss with a mental health screener other concerns such as what to do if a friend consumes too much alcohol or how to respond if a friend wants help.
“Even if you seldom drink or don’t consume alcohol at all, the experience of completing the screening process still gives participants the opportunity to become more aware of the psychological referral sources on campus and in the community,” Dotterer added.
Extra Credit Opportunities
National Alcohol Screening Day is an excellent way to educate students on this high-priority college issue. Proof of attendance will be provided for faculty who want to offer students extra credit for attending the event. Contact Dotterer at sdottere@kent.edu or 330-672-8266 to confirm that you are offering extra credit for a specific class. Students in your class who participate in the screening will be asked to sign an attendance sheet that will be mailed to you the next day.
National Alcohol Screening Day is co-sponsored by University Health Services, Counseling and Human Development Services, Public Health Student Alliance, Body Acceptance Movement and Health Education Program Planning Class.
To learn more about the services offered by University Health Services, visit www.kent.edu/UHS.