Presentations

PRESENTATIONS and COURSES

Jim Matthews M.Ed., offers a variety of presentations and courses that can support and enhance your campus alcohol and other drug education and abuse prevention program. Workshops and presentations conducted by Jim Matthews offer positive learning experiences which assist in empowering students to effectively confront the debilitating effects of alcohol and other drug use. All of these programs are consistent with social norms strategies. If you have implemented a social norms program, your campus data and graphics can be included in your presentations.
	• Orientation Programs • Alcohol Awareness Week • Residential Life Staff Training • Lecture Series • Athlete Development & NCAA CHAMPS	• Academic Courses • Greek Life including Greek Week • Conference Presentations • Peer Outreach Programs • Parent Programs
Programs are also adapted to meet the needs of high school students and are appropriate for:

• Seniors in Transition

• Parent Programs

• Prom Preparation

• Athletes

• College Prep

• Community Awareness

PRESENTATIONS

Beer, Booze & Books	...an educational, yet entertaining, look at college drinking.
Face to Face	...helping someone who may have an alcohol or other drug problem.
Beyond Peer Pressure	...a new look at campus prevention.
Altered Minds, Altered Lives	...understanding the risks associated with drug use as well as identifying the signs and symptoms of drug use.
Shattered Images	...a provocative look at alcohol advertising and students.

COURSES

Alcohol and Risk Assessment	.... this 15 hour course (1 Academic Credit) provides students with critical information regarding the health and impairment problems associated with high risk alcohol consumption
Alcohol: Model of Chemical Dependency	...this 45 hour (3 Academic Credits) provides a critical analysis of the impact of alcohol and other drug use on the individual, family and society.
Drugs and Human Behavior	...this 45 hour course (3 Academic Credits) provides an understanding of the risks associated with seven categories of drugs as well as identifying the signs and symptoms of drug use.

Beer, Booze & Books A guide to college drinking
Description	This dynamic non-judgmental approach to confronting high risk alcohol consumption on the college campus encourages students to critically examine the role alcohol is playing in their lives. This presentation - a campus favorite - provides clear, accurate and applicable information and is effectively enhanced by computer generated, multi-media graphics and video. Beer, Booze & Books also supports campus social norms programs by reducing the misperception of student drinking patterns.
Format	Lecture combined with computer generated, multi-media graphics and video with audience participation encouraged.
Duration	60 - 70 minutes approx.
Audience	Orientation, Awareness Weeks, Greek Life, Residence Life, Athletes
Topics	Childhood introduction to alcohol, amount of alcohol in drinks, metabolization of alcohol, misperception of student drinking patterns, driving under the influence, addiction, blackouts, hangovers, violence, party strategies, state dependent learning, sexually transmitted disease, acquaintance rape, tolerance, advertising, academics, alternative activities, women's issues, blood alcohol level, genetic influence on addiction, clarifying misperceptions, alcohol poisoning, sexual dysfunction, walk of shame. (This may seem like a lot of information. It is! Each topic is presented in an easily understood manner to help students apply this information in their own lives).
Audience Reactions
"Great!!!" "I wish my friends could have heard you." "Finally someone willing to talk to us like adults." "Jim Matthews knows college students." "Even though I don't drink, it was still real cool. Now I know what to say to my friends." "I'm so glad he didn't preach to us. He simply gave us the facts and left the decision up to us. But now I know a hell of a lot more about that decision." "The multi-media stuff was fantastic." "I learned more in this hour than I did in all of my high school classes." "The best alcohol program I've ever been to." "Thank you." back to presentations

Face to Face Helping someone you believe may have an alcohol or other drug problem.
Description	During this interactive workshop, students learn effective methods for intervening with someone they believe may have an alcohol or other drug related problem. Often people, in particular students, feel helpless when interacting with a friend, roommate, teammate or relative who may be experiencing alcohol or other drug problems. Residence Life staff also often believe they can have only limited impact on their residents' drinking behavior. This workshop will introduce methods that will assist students so they may be most effective in this situation.
Format	Interactive Workshop
Duration	1 - 3 hours depending upon your needs.
Audience	Greek Life, Residence Life, Athletes, Peer Outreach
Topics	Phases of drinking, low risk drinking, identifying problems, enabling, detachment, resources, when to confront someone, five step intervention process, "hitting bottom." (Although this workshop covers some of the most important information necessary for being effective when confronting someone with an alcohol or other drug problem, those of us in this field know how difficult this can be. This difficulty is acknowledged during the workshop while encouraging students to examine exactly what they would like to accomplish when confronting someone regarding these problems.)
Audience Reactions
"Now I understand how I have been enabling." "Thanks for helping me feel more comfortable with my situation." "This will definitely come in handy when dealing with my residents." "Jim's approach was great. He didn't set up unrealistic expectations. But I know if I don't say something things will probably get worse for my boyfriend." "I thought this was going to be just another alcohol talk but, it hit really close to home. Thanks for helping me understand how serious this can be if not dealt with." back to presentations

Beyond Peer Pressure A new look at campus prevention
Description	This program presents the results of research regarding the psychological disposition of low risk users and abstainers from alcohol. This information is essential for empowering this often invisible, silent majority and in developing a supportive environment for them.
Format	Lecture enhanced by multi-media graphics.
Duration	1 Hour approx.
Audience	Student Affairs Staff and Administrators, Student Activities Staff and Student Activities Committee Members, Residence Life Staff
Topics	Psychological dispositions of high risk users, psychological dispositions of low risk users and abstainers, gender differences, research design, application of the results to program development (Too often we, as prevention specialists, make decisions based on "gut instinct." Often this instinct is helpful but other times it is ineffective. This information provides another piece in the puzzle in understanding the decision making process of our students with regard to alcohol.)
Audience Reactions
"I never looked at our work in this way." "I'll be considering this when we are developing our hall programs." "I expect this information will assist us in many ways." "I want to get the rest of my staff to learn about this new information." back to presentations

Altered Minds, Altered Lives Understanding the risks associated with drug use
Description	During this presentation, participants will learn the signs and symptoms of the use of Depressants, Stimulants, Hallucinogens, PCP, Narcotic Analgesics, Inhalants, and Cannabis. Additionally, the short term and long term impact of these drugs will also be presented.
Format	Lecture enhanced by multi-media graphics, audience participation encouraged.
Duration	1 Hour.
Audience	Health Educators, Residence Life Staff, Prevention Specialists, Student Affairs Staff, Administrators and Campus Security.
Topics	Signs and symptoms of use, Short term and long term risks.
Audience Reactions
"I never realized that I could actually do this." "I hope to give it all a try as soon as I get back to my office." "This was fun." "My students will definitely appreciate this stuff." back to presentations

Shattered Images A provocative look at alcohol advertising and students
Description	The college market represents a significant source for current and future customers for the alcohol industry. This presentation examines the themes and techniques utilized by the alcohol advertisers which play upon the dreams, hopes, insecurities, and fears of college students.
Format	Lecture enhanced by multi-media graphics.
Duration	1 Hour approx.
Audience	Awareness weeks, curriculum infusion.
Topics	Advertising themes including fun, sex, romance, adventure, advertising techniques, sexism.
Audience Reactions
"Advertising techniques can sometimes be despicable." "I was aware of the exploitation of women but the way they target them too surprised me." "I never looked at ads in this way." "More students should become aware of the way they are being used by the alcohol industry." back to presentations

Alcohol and Risk Assessment
Description	This one credit course is based on the Prevention Research Institute's "Prime for Life" program. A three year research project that I conducted at Keene State College analyzing the impact of the course on 150 randomly selected first year students each year indicated that the course not only assisted in reducing the consumption by participating first year students but as Sophomores and Juniors they also drank significantly less than their peers who had not taken the course.
Format	Academic Course: 10 classes: 1 1/2 hour each Weekend Course Scheduled as necessary
Duration	15 Hours (Approximate)
Audience	Students - All levels
Topics	Addiction as a lifestyle related health problem Impairment problems Biological risks Tolerance Alcohol in various drinks Blood Alcohol Level and much more...
Student Reactions
"All college students should take this.." "This should be mandatory for all students." "Thanks for clarifying a lot of questions I had." "I don't drink and this just helped me understand why I should continue with that.." "Thanks for caring about college students." "I liked that there wasn't any preaching." back to courses

Alcohol: Model of Chemical Dependency
Description	This three credit course provides an in depth look at alcohol consumption. Impairment problems and the development of addiction are analyzed along with an understanding of the impact addiction can have on the family and friends of the addict. Treatment and recovery opportunities are studied along with prevention programs and intervention. Addiction to alcohol is used as a model for the development of addiction to other drugs as well.
Format	Academic Course: 30 classes: 1 1/2 hours each 15 classes: 3 hours each Schedduled as necessary
Duration	45 Hours (Approximate)
Audience	Students - All levels
Topics	Addiction Impairment problems Biological risks Tolerance Abuse Prevention Intervention Treatment Blood Alcohol Level Alcohol Advertising and much more...
Student Reactions
"The best course I ever took in college." "This will help me as a high school teacher." "Jim was incredibly helpful in assisting me in understang how the information appled direcctly to me personally.." back to courses

Drugs and Human Behavior
Description	Based on law enforcement's Drug Recognition Expert program, this course provides an overview of the signs and symptoms of drug use as well as the impact of this use on the mind and body.
Format	Academic Course: 30 classes: 1 1/2 hours each 15 classes: 3 hours each Schedduled as necessary
Duration	45 Hours (Approximate)
Audience	Students - All levels
Topics	Depressants, Stimulants, Hallucinogens, PCP, Narcotic Analgesics, Inhalants and Cannabis Physical and psychological impact of use Signs and symptoms of use including: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Vertical Gaze Nystagmus, Pupil Size, Blood Pressure, Temperature, Pulse
Student Reactions
"Fascinating!." "As an occupational safety major I am sure this information will come in handy when I get a job." "I never knew there were so many signs that you could see when someone is under the influence of drugs.." back to courses

Copyright© 1998-2005 Jim Matthews
Questions? Contact Jim at jim@beerboozebooks.com or 603-595-1356
172 Bartemus Trail
Nashua, NH 03063
Page Last Updated 11/14/05