KDA, state universities launch coalition to address alcohol, drug misuse among college students

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association, alongside universities and colleges throughout the state including Northern Kentucky University, has launched the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Alcohol and Substance Misuse Education (RASME) to reduce underage drinking and impaired driving among college students.

The three-year, $1 million pilot program is modeled after successful, established versions in other states and will work with participating schools to implement a holistic well-being initiative centered on education and harm reduction strategies while providing support to ensure consistency and accountability.

The coalition includes 11 initial institutions: Bellarmine University, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Centre College, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Northern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, and University of Louisville.

All participating member campuses will be provided:

• Annual and ongoing assessments
• Year-round training and technical assistance
• Funding to operationalize their strategic plan for harm reduction
• Evidence-based, data-driven harm reduction strategies

The program is housed at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and membership is open to other campuses, with funding and training support available statewide. The coalition will provide a network for professional staff to continue to engage with one another.

Throughout the coalition’s initial development, member schools worked together to provide an understanding of the needs unique to each campus based on geographical location, student population, and available budget.

The KDA’s Lifting Spirits Foundation – with significant contributions from Angel’s Envy, Bardstown Bourbon Co., Bill Samuels Jr., Brown-Forman, Buzick Construction, Heaven Hill, Independent Stave Co., Michter’s, Rabbit Hole, and Suntory Global Spirits – will fund the initiative for its first three years.

Afterward, the group will look to follow other states’ successful programs in seeking grant funding to continue its work.

The coalition has hired Carla Jordan as Executive Director, who will oversee the statewide program, support campus strategies, and ensure all schools comply with the Safe and Drug-Free Campuses Act. Jordan began on August 26, 2024.

Jordan has more than 30 years of program management and facilitation experience and is well-versed in subjects ranging from health and wellness to parenting, advocacy, and civil discourse.

Most recently, she worked in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work Training Resource Center where she developed curricula and equipped foster parents and child welfare professionals with trauma mitigation skills and professional development.

“As Program Director for the Kentucky Coalition for RASME, I am committed to leading with a servant’s heart. My goal is to connect and educate our communities with resources and information to support sustainable lives,” said Jordan.

“When young adults feel seen, valued, and heard, they are empowered to realize their leadership potential and become responsible stewards of themselves, their environments, and their communities.”

Jessica Pendergrass, Chair of the KDA Board of Directors and General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer at Heaven Hill, said, “This partnership underscores the Kentucky Bourbon industry’s commitment to reducing harmful drinking and promoting the understanding of responsible drinking through proven strategies and education.

“Our collective goal is to support effective programming at higher education institutions to ensure the well-being of our university populations, encourage responsible habits early and sustain a healthy and safe campus culture.”

Ashley Hinton, Director of Health Promotion at Centre College and Consultant for the Coalition, said, “Following the example set by the highly successful responsibility programming in Missouri and working with state coalition leaders across the country, the coalition will continue partnerships with leaders in Substance Misuse Education to ensure the institutions of higher education in Kentucky are given reliable, evidence-based tools to support their respective campus needs.

“I am excited to be working with the KDA to see this project come to life and look forward to continuing to support the coalition as we all work together to foster a safer and healthier campus environment through impactful efforts.”

In April, Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 439 creating the Alcohol Wellness and Responsibility Education (AWARE) Corp. The mission of AWARE is to provide funds through grants to Kentucky high schools, colleges, universities, and other organizations to support alcohol responsibility programs.

In July, the AWARE Board granted matching funds totaling $161,250 to support RASME programs. The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Commissioner, Allyson Taylor, is a member of the AWARE Board.

“Education is an important part of the work of the ABC and we are always glad to partner with industry members to promote responsible alcohol use by adults and awareness programs for youth,” Taylor said. “The agency looks forward to supporting many more programs that promote these goals. We appreciate the KDA and its members for bringing forward this initiative.”

HB 439 also included a provision that allows the ABC to auction confiscated alcohol with the proceeds benefiting the AWARE program. AWARE, formerly the Malt Beverage Education Fund, will also continue to provide resources to Project Graduation high school events.

KDA President Eric Gregory praised the collaborative effort and partners who have worked countless hours over the past two years to bring the RASME coalition to life. “We are proud to support our members working together with our higher education communities in such a meaningful way,” he said.

“This is a groundbreaking program for the Commonwealth that ensures students on campuses throughout the state are equipped with the means to understand alcohol consumption so they can make the right and responsible decisions.”

For more information about the program or how to get involved, contact Sara Barnes at sara@kybourbon.com or Ashley Hinton at 859well@gmail.com .

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