On Monday, February 27, 2023, the Counseling Center’s Alcohol and Other Drug Program will participate in National Screening Day. This event originated from National Alcohol Screening Day, which is held annually to raise awareness about harmful and dependent drinking behaviors and connects individuals who are at risk with treatment options.

Rebranded as Screening Day, this outreach and awareness event will offer brief alcohol and marijuana use screenings in Illini Room B from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, February 27. Students will have the opportunity to fill out the ten-question Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) or eight-question Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT), or both, then meet briefly with a screener about their use and any potential referrals or recommendations.

The first 150 students to attend will be eligible for a free t-shirt. We'll also offer snacks and prizes for students after completing the screening. McKinley Health Education staff, Counseling Center Paraprofessionals, and Counseling Center staff will be on hand to educate students about harm reduction practices, signs of alcohol poisoning and substance dependence, safety planning, bystander interventions, and how the University of Illinois’ Medical Amnesty policy works.

Kristin Manzi, Counseling Center clinical specialist in education, says that screening is an effective first step to discovering substance misuse. She explains, "According to the CDC, screening for heavy drinking and offering brief counseling can reduce future binge drinking by up to 25%. Early intervention and education are important for regular users of both alcohol and marijuana.” Students will receive immediate non-judgmental feedback about their habits, and those who have an elevated AUDIT or CUDIT score will have an opportunity to speak to a counselor who is experienced in alcohol and other drug concerns.