Sul Ross State University Wins Award from AAA Texas for Efforts to Reduce Drinking and Driving

HOUSTON--July 23, 2004--Sul Ross State University, located in a small Texas town with the highest beer sales per capita in Texas, has won a regional prize for its efforts to reduce drinking and driving. Sul Ross State University competed against other universities and colleges in six western states to develop and implement programs to prevent student drinking and driving and alcohol abuse. Sul Ross, which is located in Alpine, Texas, won a $1,000 award for its anti-drinking and driving program. In all, three universities and one community college from the program's six-state region were awarded a total of $8,000. The region consists of Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California, and Hawaii.

This year, Sul Ross State University was recognized for its "CHOICES" program. The acronym, which stands for "Choosing Healthy Options in Community Environments," includes: on-line screening resources that allow students to anonymously screen themselves for alcohol problems; a freshman seminar to address underage drinking and risky drinking behavior; a peer mentors program that takes an active role in educating incoming freshman about alcohol use; and outreach to neighborhood high schools to promote alcohol prevention messages.

"Sul Ross State University's 'CHOICES' program is an excellent example of what a small school can accomplish," said Steven Bloch, Ph.D., coordinator of the College and University Drinking and Driving Prevention Awards Program for AAA Texas. "The university is located in a town of only 6,000 residents. Its program stands out for its success in developing a comprehensive program that provides outreach to college students and the surrounding community," Bloch added.

The University of California, Santa Barbara received the $5,000 grand prize for the third time within the past four years, and the second year in a row. The other regional awards were presented to California State University, Sacramento, and Santa Barbara City College, California.

The Texas College and University Drinking and Driving Prevention Awards program is a joint program of AAA Texas and the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention. The Automobile Club of Southern California, AAA Northern California, AAA New Mexico, AAA Hawaii, AAA Utah and AAA Nevada also participate.

AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA National, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, insurance and financial products, travel agency, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.