Zeta Tau Alpha Makes Alcohol Prevention a Priority

 

Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity has announced that it is requiring all members of its 144 collegiate chapters to complete and pass AlcoholEdu® for College, an online alcohol prevention program.

 

This decision reflects ZTA's commitment to the health and welfare of its members, especially as it relates to risky behaviors affiliated with drinking.

 

"High-risk drinking is prevalent on college campuses around the country and it is the responsibility of all those involved -- students, parents and college personnel -- to become engaged in the solution," said Deb Ensor, Executive Director. "Zeta Tau Alpha believes strongly that it is essential to get ahead of any problems by exposing all members to prevention activities."

 

In March 2005, the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) released data suggesting that the problem of college drinking exceeds previous estimates, citing more than 1,700 alcohol-related deaths and 2.8 million cases of driving under the influence in 2001. More than 450 campuses around the country have implemented AlcoholEdu®, which integrates proven prevention techniques into a science-based curriculum. The program includes three confidential surveys to help ZTA understand the effectiveness of its efforts.

 

"The sorority experience is all about preparing young women for life beyond the college and the classroom," Ensor said. "Zeta Tau Alpha is confident that our prevention efforts will have a lasting impact on members, benefiting them in ways that endure well beyond their college careers."

 

An independent, third-party evaluation of AlcoholEdu for College, revealed that students who completed the program experienced approximately 50 percent fewer negative health, social and academic consequences than students who had not yet taken the course.

 

Zeta Tau Alpha was founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Va., and has more than 187,000 members worldwide. One of the nation's largest Greek women's groups, ZTA develops members' leadership, academic and service skills, and supports breast cancer education and awareness as its national philanthropy.

 

 

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