Sandler Center Annual Report 20-21

2020-2021 | ANNUAL REPORT

STAFF

THE SANDLER CENTER

Peer Educators

Adeeb Ahmed (Fall '20), Hope Cherian, Maddie Darish, Julie Erhardt & Kirra Peery

Spring '21 Public Health Interns Caitlin Detorres, Tyler Grant & Sarah Shanahan

Rachel Rachel Williams Williams || Student Student Affairs Affairs Graduate Graduate Assistant Assistant Katy Katy Haller Haller || Public Public Health Health Graduate Graduate Assistant Assistant Whitney Whitney Platzer Platzer O'Regan O'Regan || Assistant Assistant Dean Dean && Director Director

2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

OVERVIEW OF

THE SANDLER CENTER The William W. Sandler, Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education at the University of Miami is a comprehensive prevention, education, and referral program.

We focus outreach and education on alcohol and other drug use, misuse, and dependency.

Through peer education and collaboration with campus partners, the Sandler Center provides outreach and support to empower students to make informed and responsible decisions throughout their lives.

Housed in the Dean of Students Office and working with all members of the campus community, we strive to:

Promote healthy lifestyles, as well as personal and social responsibility, by providing and supporting educational programs, trainings, community service, and alternative social activities for students.

Educate students about the negative health and legal consequences of highrisk use of alcohol and other drugs.

Increase awareness and commitment within the university community to safety and intervention.

Create an environment in which a change in attitudes, behaviors, and use of substances is possible and participation in high-risk behaviors is reduced.

OVERVIEW OF

EVENTS & PROGRAMS

CAMPUS PARTNERS

TOPICS COVERED

COPE, Student Affairs, Student Health Services , International Student & Scholar Services, School of Nursing, Hurricane Productions, Greek Life, Healthy U, Healthy Me, Healthy 'Cane Network, It’s On Us Ambassadors, oSTEM

Binge Drinking, Alcohol Awareness Month, Medical Amnesty, Anti-Smoking & Vaping, Drunk Driving, Cannabis, Sleep, COVID & Social Responsibility, Bystander Intervention, Wellbeing & Stress Management, Prescription Stimulants, Student Athlete Substance Use

"Every day working for the Sandler Center is different. We create and lead programs, engage with our peers, get creative, and make campus a little bit safer. As the campus climate evolves our job does too, which makes it a fun challenge!"

OVERVIEW OF

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH Topics Alcohol & Dehydration Drugged Drinks Alcohol & the Immune System Campus Resources Alcohol Poisoning Bystander Intervention

HIGHLIGHTS

872

979

Interactions at socially distanced in-person events

Interactions through remote programs

Each year, the Sandler Center joins nearly 1,000 colleges across the country in observing National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Month (NCAAM) throughout the month of October. In Fall 2020, peer educators promoted alcohol education in a comprehensive, engaging way by developing virtual programs. With the theme “Sandler Network,” a play-on-words of popular cartoons, NCAAM provided the opportunity to engage in peer education with students around around their alcohol use.

2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

99% of students could name steps to take if they or someone else have been drugged while drinking.

99% of students learned at least one effect of alcohol on the immune system.

96% of students could identify that alcohol poisoning is always an emergency that requires intervention.

EVENTS & PROGRAMS FOR

DRUNK DRIVING FALL 2020 "DRUNKSGIVING" The night before Thanksgiving, also known as Drunksgiving, is associated with an increase in drinking and driving. This virtual program highlighted the risks associated with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and safety measures to take during the holiday season.

149 Students participated

100% of students learned a strategy for staying safe on high-risk drunk-driving holidays.

SPRING 2021 ALPHA PHI ALPHA COLLAB Collaborating with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for the Cannon Dozier Project, students learned the importance of having a designated driver. Peer educators and brothers of the fraternity shared how to intervene so other 'Canes stay safe instead of driving home while under the influence.

99 Students participated

99% of students could identify that alcohol and cannabis are unsafe to use before driving.

2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

EVENTS & PROGRAMS FOR

ANTI-SMOKING AND VAPING FALL 2020 'CANES AGAINST VAPING With concerns about the increased prevalence of vaping across campus, Student Health and the Sandler Center collaborated on a program to educate students by demonstrating the harmful effects of nicotine, smoking and vaping.

142

90% of students could identify three on-campus resources available to help quit vaping.

Students participated

SPRING 2021 HARMS OF E-CIGARETTES Continuing the anti-vaping discussion in the spring, the Sandler Center created a virtual event to share the impact that nicotine has on the body and brain.

As a result, students were able to better understand the risks tied to vaping products and debunk common myths associated with e-cigarettes.

35 Students participated

94% of students could identify that there is more nicotine in e-cigarettes than combustible cigarettes.

EVENTS & PROGRAMS FOR

COVID & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FALL 2020 GOING-OUT GUIDE Peer Educators developed a social media campaign that focused on disseminating on-campus resources, reminding students on how to stay safe and follow campus and community guidelines, and reiterating that, more than ever, 'Canes should always care for other 'Canes.

SPRING 2021 CHI OMEGA WORKSHOP Peer Educators facilitated a conversation with the sisters of Chi Omega to share safety tips, recognize unsafe activities and practices. Student were training on when to call for help, and how to follow the university's COVID-19 guidelines in public and private spaces.

161

40

students participated

students participated

100% of students could identify how partying leads to increased risk of COVID-19 exposure.

80% of students could identify one possible consequence of having a party with sisters in the era of COVID-19.

SPRING 2021 RED RIBBON WEEK PSA WINNER Peer Educator, Julie Erhardt, and School of Communication student, Julia Hecht, were awarded $3,000 from the Drug Enforcement Agency, taking home first place in the 2021 Red Ribbon Week National Campus PSA Contest. The awardwinning video featured students discussing drugs and alcohol as "little monsters" that can be parts of college life, but when abused, persist into bigger lifelong problems.

2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

EVENTS & PROGRAMS BEFORE

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS MARCH 2021 CANNABIS & COGNITION With the cancellation of spring break, the Sandler Center collaborated with Hurricane Productions to host an evening event before Wellness Wednesday to share healthy coping mechanisms for stress and the impact of substance use.

245 Students participated

99% of students learned that cannabis use can impair cognitive functions such as short-term memory and attention.

APRIL 2021 SLEEP & SUBSTANCE USE During the second Wellness Wednesday peer educators collaborated with Student Health Services and focused on sharing the impact that substance use has on sleep patterns. They also provided tips and tricks on how students can improve their night routines for better sleep.

133 Students participated

98% of students were able to evaluate their sleeping habits and reflect on ways to improve their sleep.

EVENTS & PROGRAMS FOR

PRESCRIPTION STIMULANTS FALL 2020 "STUDY DRUGS" CHAT As finals kicked into high gear, peer educators developed a text campaign that was shared through social media to remind students of the dangers associated with taking stimulants not prescribed by a medical professional.

25

100% identified that using Adderall offprescription doesn't improve GPA.

Students participated

SPRING 2021 STIMULANTS TRIVIA To continue the conversation about non-prescribed stimulant use, peer educators corrected common misconceptions about stimulants and their impact on GPA. Students were able to learn that those who use non-prescribed stimulants often have a lower GPA than those who do not, and about the side effects that these drugs have when not prescribed by a physician.

165 Students participated

94% of students learned that using prescription stimulants without a prescription can cause serious side effects.

2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

EVENTS & PROGRAMS FOR

CANNABIS FALL 2020 CANNABIS & SLEEP

SPRING 2021 WEED OUT THE FACTS

To discuss the impact that cannabis has on sleep, Sandler Center peer educators curated a social media campaign to discuss the effects cannabis has on the body and mind. Student walked away with healthier alternatives to aid in falling asleep.

Peer educators developed a virtual program on the effects of cannabis and potential COVID-19 complications. Students learned how to minimize risks presented by cannabis use during a pandemic, and alternative activities to substance use through a virtual program.

119

180

students participated

students participated

89% of students were able to identify the negative effects that cannabis has on sleep.

90% of students could identify three ways that smoking cannabis makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19.

PROGRAM

TOPICS

25+

94%

Different topics covered in a variety of platforms from in-person, to Buzzfeed, to Instagram.

Average percent of students who met the defined learning goals after attending a Sandler program.

"I love engaging with students and making sure that my peers are being safe and have all the information they need to make good choices. The role gives me a chance to assess what I see happening on campus as a student, and apply it to my programs to make them more intentional.”

(RE)THINKING DRINKING

THE ALCOHOL WORKSHOP

100% of students refelcted on their own personal use of alcohol.

83% of students plan to make changes to their alcohol use as a result of the workshop

OUTLINE Misuse Screener Consequences of drinking Myth vs. fact COVID & Alcohol use Empowering students Strategies to stay safe Resources

The alcohol peer-led workshop, "Rethinking Drinking," is used as a reflective and educational opportunity for students to recognize the effects of high-risk drinking, and reconsider their drinking practices. The students mandated to attend this workshop have either: received a medical assessment due to their drinking behaviors, have been caught using a fake ID, or are on their second alcohol-related offense. This year, the workshop has been redesigned to meet the changing needs of UM students.

2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

HIGH(ER) EDUCATION

THE CANNABIS WORKSHOP We have continued to address cannabis-related violations on campus with our awardwinning peer-led workshop, High(er) Education. The redesigned virtual session includes an interactive trivia game, engaging educational activities, opportunities for reflection and goal-setting, and information on campus resources. Upon completing this workshop, students are empowered as the primary agents of change in reducing the harms of their drug use.

High(er) Education was awarded 2020-21 Program of Distinction at the NASPA General Assembly, a national conference for peer education on college campuses.

STATISTICS

25 Total students who have attended the cannabis peer-led workshop.

95.5% Percent of students who agreed that they examined their own personal cannabis use as a result of the workshop.

90.9% Percent of students who plan to make changes to their cannabis use as a result of the workshop.

OVERVIEW OF

NCAA CHOICES GRANT This year, we continued work on Your Move, a collaborative initiative funded by the NCAA Choices Grant at the University of Miami. The goals of the grant include expanding alcohol & drug peer education for student-athletes, and addressing misconceptions regarding how common alcohol and drug use is at the institution. Sandler Center peer educators worked on creating four virtual peer-led workshops for student-athletes that are both interactive and educational. They also supported the design and planning process for a social norms campaign.

4 Total targeted workshops for student athletes.

1,178 Students reached via Instagram Your Move stories.

660 Students reached via IGTV Your Move videos.

Workshops for student-athletes addressed a variety of topics: Bystander Intervention Medical Amnesty e-Cigarettes Cannabis Accountability

2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

GREEK LIFE

NEW MEMBER SYMPOSIUM Every spring semester, we collaborate with Greek Life to provide a drug & alcohol training for the several hundred students joining fraternities and sororities. This year, due to COVID-19, the Sandler Center adapted the program to be delivered virtually.

We harnessed interactive quizzes, videos, and automated chats to educate new members on how to make healthy decisions and keep their community safe.

686

94.3%

97.1%

Students attended the virtual New Member Symposium.

Percent of students who strongly agree that they can stay safe if they choose to drink after completing the workshop.

Percent of students that agree or strongly agree that they are better educated and prepared on how to intervene and/or report when they believe unsafe, high-risk behaviors have taken place.

OUTLINE Alcohol Poisoning Bystander Intervention Medical Amnesty COVID-19 Risk Reduction Empowering Students Resources

2020-21 YEAR SUMMARY 33 virtual programs hosted through social media campaigns and innovative platforms.

51 TOTAL PROGRAMS 18 socially distanced in-programs across campus.

22 programs hosted in collaboration with campus partners.

8,250 STUDENTS REACHED 916 Greek students reached by Sandler Center programming.

"I really enjoy the peer outreach aspect, which gives me the opportunity to interact with the student body. Being a peer educator allows me to be creative and innovative, while also working towards something meaningful in helping students learn safer, healthier lifestyle practices."

SANDLER CENTER

CONTACT INFORMATION

sandler@miami.edu (305) 284-6120 miami.edu/sandler facebook.com/umsandlercenter @umsandlercenter