Center for Alcohol and Substance Education at the University of Virginia

Peer Education

The culture of student self-governance at UVA ensures that students are significantly engaged in the decision-making process. This page is designed to introduce the many educational efforts focused on enhancing the already high level of student involvement in prevention activities.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT)

ADAPT is dedicated to addressing the issues of alcohol and other drug abuse in the University of Virginia community. As peer educators, we promote awareness, provide educational outreach, and serve as accessible resources for our fellow students. more about ADAPT Programs...

The Student Athlete Mentor Program at UVA (SAMs)

A peer education program designed to train student athletes in substance abuse prevention and to create a safer social environment for students at the University. SAMs learn to recognize signs of problematic drinking and drug behavior and appropriate ways to intervene. They develop proactive measures to reduce the negative consequences related to the abuse of alcohol and other drugs and serve as resources for their teammates.

For more information about SAMs please contact:
Phil Gates, Life Skills Coordinator, Athletics - pgates@virginia.edu

The Gordie CASE partnership with Resident Staff Members

Undergraduate students serving as resident staff members live in student housing to enforce University regulations, policies and Housing Terms and Conditions. Gordie CASE works closely with these student leaders throughout the year to ensure they are trained in multiple alcohol education issues, including how to care for an intoxicated person, intervention techniques, social norms theory, and the reality of drinking at UVA. Click here to view the program presented during resident staff training in August.

The UVA Alcohol Risk Management Program

“The U.Va. Alcohol Risk Management training is an online program that provides information on U.Va. policies and Virginia state law concerning alcohol service and basic principles of risk management. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for paid opportunities to serve as party managers at approved functions on University property. The U.Va. Alcohol Risk Management Program is a pre-requisite for enrollment in the Bartending Short Course through the University Programs Council.