Substance Education

Dickson Street

As a signature program of the health center's Wellness & Health Promotion department, Substance Education and Alcohol Resources (SEAR) strives to create a campus culture of responsible and values-based decision-making regarding alcohol and other drug use for students, faculty and staff. 

SEAR offers a variety of research-based prevention, early intervention, and recovery support services and programs. SEAR frequently partners with campus groups to promote a learning environment that supports healthy behavior choices, as well as raise awareness about the risks associated with alcohol abuse and illicit drug use.

The University of Arkansas encourages all members of the campus community to familiarize themselves with the annual Alcohol and Other Drug Policy. 

SEAR Campus Programs

  • Razorbacks Offering Accountability Resources (ROAR)

  • Razorback Recovery Community

  • Bystander intervention training

  • Alcohol Awareness Week

  • Safe & Sober Spring Break

  • Woo Pig Sober tailgates

SEAR Staff 

Emery Gower, LAC

Wellness Specialist for Substance Use 

Email | edgower@uark.edu

Phone | 479-575-3184

 

Big Red Bucket List

Your college experience should be an adventure. Get out and explore all that U of A and Northwest Arkansas has to offer, from campus life to local favorites.

Complete the activities on Big Red’s Bucket list for your chance to win some great prizes.

Email your completed list to edgower@uark.edu to be entered into a raffle.

Deadline to submit your completed list are November 6 (for Fall semester drawing) and April 20 (for Spring semester drawing). 

Winners will be notified by email with information on where to collect their prize.

Resources

Substance Education and Alcohol Resources | edgower@uark.edu |479-575-3184

Pat Walker Health Center | 479-575-4451 |health.uark.edu

Counseling & Psychological Services | 479-575-5276

Dean of Students Office | 479-575-5007

UofACares | uofacares.uark.edu

UAPD | 479-575-2222

Know the signs of alcohol poisoning! Remember PUBS!

Puking: can’t stop throwing up; dry heaving

Unconscious: unresponsive; no reaction

Breathing: Slow, short and choppy breaths

Skin: cold, clammy and possibly blue-ish

Have a plan for getting home

Stay hydrated

Eat before, and while, you are out

Keep track of your drinks

Know where your drink came from

Charge your cell phone

Notice the event: what is going on around you, who is around you, where are you, etc. 

Determine if the event is a problem or emergency: is the behavior or situation abnormal, does someone look like they need help, is someone drinking/using more than normal, etc.

Assume responsibility: if you are the one who notices that something is wrong, you are the perfect person to do something about it.

Know how to help:

Emergency: Remove the person from the situation; administer CPR, take away car keys; drive the person home; find them a sober driver; Call 911; distract people involved; get other people to help you; call a sober friend.

Non-emergency: Talk to the person about the problem; encourage your friend to report the problem/incident; speak to an RA, CRE, counselor, dean, or other resource; learn more about the topic.

Do you have a friend or family member here at the University of Arkansas that you would like to send a birthday card to?

Each birthday card includes tips for staying safe on your birthday, as well as a Razorback sticker.

Email edgower@uark.edu at least two-weeks prior to make sure a birthday card gets to them on-time. Please include the following:

  • Students name

  • Birthday

  • Dorm/Address

  • Sender

Substance Use, Abuse, and Addiction- The concepts of use, abuse, and addiction are covered and students will learn strategies to help them maintain healthy relationships with alcohol and drugs.

Bystander Intervention- Discussion centered around staying safe in a college environment when it comes to alcohol and drugs, how to best watch out for your friends, and ways to help if the situation calls for it.

Recovery Allies- Participates will learn what it means to be “in recovery” and how they can best be an ally to friends or family they may know. We will review recovery friendly language, discuss the Razorback Recovery Community, and leave students with resources for themselves and others.

If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, please email Emery Gower (edgower@uark.edu) at least two-weeks prior to the date requesting.

Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students

This program is offered for all University of Arkansas students who may want to explore their alcohol and drug use, but the goal of the program is to reduce risky behaviors and harmful consequences of alcohol abuse. 

BASICS is not "Just Say No" or an abstinence-only program. The BASICS facilitator will provide objective feedback, based on an interview and questionnaires filled out by the student, in order to encourage positive changes in behavior.

Essentially, BASICS will provide the information and guidance, but what a student chooses to do with it is entirely up to him/her.

Some students are required to complete BASICS as part of sanctions from the University of Arkansas, but all students are welcome to utilize the service.

To those that attend outside of the sanction process or self-refer the service is free of charge. 

Documentation can be provided to show proof of complete upon signing a release form.

All BASICS sessions are one-on-one with a facilitator and the student. It takes two sessions, typically one week apart, to complete the BASICS program.

  • Session I takes approximately 60 minutes. During this session, students meet their facilitator, are oriented to the program, answer interview questions and complete a questionnaire.

  • Session II also takes approximately 60 minutes. Students receive personalized feedback that is based on the information obtained from interviews and questionnaires completed during the first session. Students review the feedback with the facilitator and, if appropriate, identify potential changes that could work to help reduce their risk for developing future alcohol related problems.

To learn more, email edgower@uark.edu

To schedule an appointment, email alcohol@uark.edu