Educating College Students on the Impacts of Alcohol: Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission Films PSA at DelVal
The Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. (BCDAC, Inc.) filmed a public service announcement (PSA) on Delaware Valley University’s (DelVal) campus to educate college-aged individuals about the impacts of alcohol.
BCDAC, Inc. hopes this informative video can provide the resources college students need to utilize healthy alternatives to alcohol use and help those struggling.
In partnering with DelVal, BCDAC, Inc. felt the University’s campus was the perfect place to film. “Since the video is mainly targeting a college-aged population, we thought, where better to film than on a college or university campus? DelVal is right here in Doylestown, and we just knew it would be an awesome idea,” says BCDAC, Inc. Prevention Supervisor, Mallory Perrotti. “In building a relationship with DelVal, we hope to initiate more partnerships with colleges and universities to in the area to help spread awareness,” she adds.
Prior to producing the video, BCDAC, Inc. surveyed college-aged individuals on what they would prefer to see in a PSA about the impacts of alcohol. One of the survey items asked students, for this video to be well-received, who should deliver the information? Their response overwhelmingly indicated that college students would best receive the information if it was delivered by a healthcare professional.
With this in mind, BCDAC, Inc. partnered with healthcare professional and Bucks County Department of Health HIV/STD Program Manager, Sharita Flaherty, M.A. In the PSA, Flaherty discusses how alcohol impacts the brain and how limiting the use of alcohol can dramatically improve one’s health. In her work with the Bucks County Department of Health, Flaherty teaches community members about sexual health, specifically HIV, and educates them on how to get tested, treated, and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Flaherty was especially interested in participating in the PSA because of the correlation between sexual health and alcohol use.
“When people are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, they can be more likely to engage in unprotected sex,” Flaherty explains. “Syphilis and gonorrhea are at the highest rates they’ve been in 30 years. Drugs and alcohol have a big correlation to that,” she describes.
Providing a useful resource to the community, BCDAC, Inc. hopes the message of the video resonates with the population. “It’s important to put the message out there. Whether a student is wondering if they’ve been partying too much, or fear a friend is drinking too much, this video can empower them to go to our website, and check out our information. There’s everything on our website from general alcohol information to services in Bucks County that relate to recovery or those looking to take the next step in addressing their alcohol consumption. We also have information on how to get Naloxone, the medication that can help reverse an opioid overdose,” says Perrotti.
“We want to make sure we’re providing useful resources to college campuses in Bucks County,” she concludes. The PSA does just that. DelVal was happy to partner with BCDAC, Inc. to provide a beneficial resource to the surrounding community that will make a lasting, positive impact on college-aged individuals and the general population.