Olayinka Akinyemi Akinola, MD, INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND BIOSTATISTICS DEPARTMENT, Boston University, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, 617 833 7563, akinolaoa@yahoo.com

Excessive alcohol use among college students is one that easily is a national public health concern, as are the attendant consequences and side effects of this habit. Significant to note is the fact that the pattern of use is noticeably similar among students in other countries, with a few minor differences.

In Nigeria, primary school students were found to have had their first drink of alcohol as early as 11 years; As many as 60% of students at secondary school level had documented use of alcohol, while (77%) of undergraduates reported alcohol use.

Objective: This paper focuses on the strategies of the Environmental Management approach to alcohol prevention in institutions of higher educations, successes accrued as evident by several model programs in the United States, factors and strategies involved in the application of the approach in a different context, using Nigeria as a case study. This analysis of Environmental Management approach and its application in another context is based on review of national reports, and data sources, and on studies published in medical and public health literature.

Findings: Modifications need to be made at the levels of the spheres of action; Which are the “Campus Task Force”, “Campus-Community Coalition”, and “State Association of Colleges and Universities”. These include environmental, educational, enforcement strategies, early interventions and Public Policy Options.

Based on a critical analysis this paper highlight lessons learnt from successful model programs, and articulates them with national reports, and data sources, to recommend modifications.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss concepts key to the environmental management approach in preventing alcohol use in institutions of higher education
• Recognize and list factors to take into consideration in the implementation of this approach in other communities
• Identify and analyze problems that they may encounter in the implementation
• Define and develop relevant modifications that will be required for its successful implementation

Keywords: Alcohol, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.