As the 2024-25 school year winds down, NC State Prevention Services’ Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) unit is ready to help the Wolfpack community celebrate a year of hard work and accomplishments in a safe, responsible manner.
Dovetailing with National Alcohol Awareness Month, NC State’s AOD April aims to raise awareness around substances that can cause harm.
“I think there are always some natural times during the semester when substance use could be higher risk,” said Laurie Capps Bolster, Prevention Services alcohol, other drug and recovery coordinator. “I think having it in April just brings more awareness at the end of the semester, maybe you have more stress because the semester is wrapping up, and sometimes students might want to cope by using alcohol or other drugs, but there are ways that you can relax, get outside and enjoy the weather or connect with each other and not engage in behaviors that might be risky.”
AOD April will kick off on Thursday, April 3 with Altered State, an outdoor wellness fair on Stafford Commons.
This alternative wellness fair, complete with a live band, carnival style games, popcorn, cotton candy and other festive snacks, will allow students to visit various tables and learn about substances and risk reduction strategies, as well as substance-free activities on campus from various partners.
“It’s the first time that we’re doing this, so I’m pretty excited about it,” Bolster said. “We’re helping students understand that they don’t have to use substances in college, and then if they are using substances or they know people who are, there are ways to reduce harm.”
This semester, Prevention Services has rolled out a series of Recognizing and Responding to Drink Tampering events that students can register for via reporter.
The next event is scheduled for April 10, and these programs help students recognize warning signs of drink tampering, what to do in an emergency situation and the resources available to help students on campus.
AOD April will also feature several more of the Alcohol and Other Drugs unit’s ongoing events, including an Opioid Overdose Prevention and Response Training on April 17. These events cover risk factors, signs and symptoms of opioid overdose, and how to use and administer the life-saving drug naloxone (Narcan). Participants also are given a free Narcan kit. Narcan is also available for free at the front desk of Prevention Services in the Campus Health Center on main campus Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bolster also encourages students to book appointments on her personal calendar if they are interested in learning more about recovery or discussing their relationship with alcohol and other drugs.
Students are also encouraged to sign up for Prevention Services’ BASICS sessions, which feature two-part meetings where students can examine their relationship with alcohol and other drugs using a personalized feedback survey.
“We want students to know that we’re available, that you can come and talk to us before you experience negative outcomes,’” Bolster said.
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