Hypothesis Graph, GVSU 2005 - Click to Enlarge

ALERT Labs has developed and  successfully implemented community-wide prevention and brief intervention programs. 

University Program Accomplishments  - 

In 2004, the U.S. Department of Education named ALERT Labs  a "Model" Comprehensive Prevention Program for College Campuses

ALERT Labs created its unique program by combining communication theory with social norms theory and a restorative practices/12-Step  approach at Grand Valley State University. These theories and practices were implemented and evaluated via rigorous research designed to measure effectiveness and identify practical approaches that work.  Thanks to this research, we know how to reduce the incidence of drinking and drug use, and to likewise reduce the consequences for individuals and the entire community. The major strategy is to reduce widespread MISperception of norms for AOD use among the target group.  As individuals begin to recognize that most of their reference group does not use AOD or does not use in dangerous ways, they begin to reduce their own use. See the Hypothesis Graph above for a visual picture of this relationship.

The program began in 1999 and showed surprisingly strong results by 2002: 

• 40% reduction in heavy drinking.

• 25% increase in moderate drinking.

• 30% increase in abstention.

• 18% decrease in misperception of binge drinking (revealing that students were realizing that "everybody" doesn't drink heavily or dangerously).

Ultimately, after seven years of ALERT programming, we were able to demonstrate beyond any doubt that by reducing students' misperceptions of community norms for alcohol and other drug use we can directly affect their drinking and drugging behavior. See Hypothesis graph on right.

High School Program Accomplishments

Based upon our successes at the University level, we believed we could achieve similar results with High School students. Since most heavy drinkers and drug users at universities first begin to use between the ages of 14 and 19 or 20, we realized it made sense to try to prevent the development of alcohol and other drug problems at their inception, in high schools. This led to the creation of the Making Sobriety Attractive program, which we piloted in 2003-04, and which was funded for broader implementation beginning in 2005.  We began by conducting the research necessary to establish a baseline for meauring effectiveness, and implemented the program at the first schools in 2006. 

At the High Schools where the adapted ALERT Labs program has been running for two years, it has resulted in changes in AOD-related behaviors similar to those we documented at the university level.  For example:

• 18% reduction in past 30-day alcohol use.

• 28% reduction in past 30-day tobacco use.

• 14% reduction in past 30-day marijuana use.

• 56% reduction in past 30-day "Other Drug" use.

At these same schools, our program has also impacted negative teen behaviors associated with AOD use:

• Driving under the influence decreased by 55%.

• Experiencing unwanted sex or sexual contact decreased by 44%.

• Getting into fights or arguments decreased by 40%.

• Getting into trouble with the police decreased by 30%.

The MSA Project has also reduced rates of alcohol use to 18% below -- and tobacco use in the schools to 6% below -- the average rates for high school students in Michigan. 

In addition, the Project has brought about changes in parents' perceptions of their high school teenagers' use of AOD and in their recognition of the importance of 1) talking--based on accurate knowledge--with their children about these issues, 2) modeling abstinence or light to moderate use of alcohol, and 3) monitoring risky behavior.