2015 Press Releases
REACT gets underway at UCC
A forum hosted in UCC has attracted representatives from over 20 third-level colleges throughout the country as part of the REACT (Responding to Excessive Alcohol Consumption in Third-level) project.
The HSE-funded project aims to create an accreditation and award scheme for colleges in the third-level sector that make significant changes within their campuses in an attempt to tackle the growing issue of excessive alcohol consumption among students.
REACT, based in UCC, is a joint initiative between the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), the Irish Student Health Association (ISHA) and UCC Health Matters.
It stems from the high number of cases of alcohol related incidents attributed to Irish universities, ITs and local college students reported annually.
“The reports in this area have been increasingly worrying and it has reached a point where action is required if we want to change the culture of our colleges,” said Dr Michael Byrne, the project leader.
Pleasure speaking on a panel 'Responding to excessive alcohol consumption in third level' in @UCCHealthMatter today pic.twitter.com/lYrg20LsNt
— Greg O'Donoghue (@gregodonoghue)
April 16, 2015
The project has researched global best practices of actions that can occur on Irish campuses that have proven effectiveness. The forum was a gathering of staff and students to discuss and assess these actions creating the criteria that the award will be assessed upon.
“This is a crucial project in the improvement of our campuses and students lives nationally,” commented Laura Harmon, USI President.
“The USI formally broke ties with DrinkAware.ie in 2013 and are intent on making an impact in this area directly, for our students benefit.”
The forum was the largest gathering of third-level representation to discuss student alcohol habits since 2010. The REACT project will formally be completed on 30 June 2015.
For further updates, see the REACT Twitter account.
Delighted with no. Of Universities and IoTs at @reactalcohol meeting in @UCC @UCCSU @UCCSUWelfare @TheUSI @UCCHealthMatter
— React Project (@reactalcohol)
April 16, 2015