NKU gets NCAA funding for student alcohol prevention

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – The NCAA is helping Northern Kentucky University provide alcohol prevention strategies for its incoming students.

NKU announced Monday that it received a $30,000, three-year National Collegiate Athletic Association Choices grant.

Called REAL (Real Education About Life) CHOICES, the program's goal is to empower first-year students to make good choices about drinking, health and academic success.

"The first installment of the grant is immediate," said Chris Cole, NKU spokesman. That means first-year students this fall will take part in the program.

The program will train eight to 10 peer educators who will be nationally certified to provide peer-led trainings, activities and social norm campaigns to reduce misperceptions about alcohol and other drugs while promoting healthy lifestyles. NKU student athletes will take part as role models.

"We are excited for this opportunity to enhance our alcohol and other drug prevention efforts on campus and to provide increased prevention programming to students," said Siobhan Ryan, an alcohol and other drug counselor at NKU, in a statement.

REAL CHOICES is a collaboration between the NKU Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Athletics. The grant is supported by the NCAA Foundation and Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.